Time To - What?

I apologize - this came off FB and I do not know the source

That graphic tells just part of the story.  Yes, all those forecasts displayed on one day, but visit with us for four days, beginning on the 25th. Friday was warm – doors open and extended family enjoying Christmas dinner and gift exchange. Saturday that Tornado Watch turned into a series of 12 tornadoes in north Texas that took lives and destroyed homes. Sunday was rain, lots, which caused some flooding. Monday at 2 a.m. the sleet began, followed by snow.

In today’s sermons, Pastor spoke of our plans and challenges for 2016 and one of the scriptures was:

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

The Pulpit Commentary explains “redeeming the time” as:

The idea being that of a merchant who, knowing the value of an article and the good use to which he can put it, buys it up.

We do that by earnest consideration of what is truly best, wise enough to understand God’s will for our lives. Part of that understanding is to realize nothing stays the same. I like how Matthew Henry states this in his Concise Commentary:

To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, must end in disappointment.

That concise comment refers to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 which covers a huge topic of times - which we may face in as relatively short a period as the Texas weather:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Where do you fit within these times? I know some people who are weeping who have had loved ones die. I know others who have lost – jobs for several, homes for others. At least one is wavering between keeping silence or speaking of something that will be painful to the listener.

As we consider the coming year, are we ready to face what may be a roller-coaster of change? Without worrying about tomorrow, yet knowing it will bring the expected and the unexpected?

Do those considerations contain thoughts of how all of this will fit into God’s will?

See?  I’m still full of questions as the new year begins. May yours be blessed and may God’s will in our lives be evident.