The Beauty and Burden of Time
In 1965, The Byrds released a song called “Turn, Turn, Turn,” based almost entirely on Ecclesiastes 3. Like the biblical passage, this song is a poetic reflection on the nature of time and its rhythms, striking a chord with people yearning for peace during the Vietnam War. But what is it about time that makes it such a powerful, universal theme?
Ecclesiastes 3 begins with a profound statement: “For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” This poetic declaration encompasses the entire human experience, highlighting both the beauty and the burden of time.
The Beauty of Time
Life is a series of events, each marked by unique joys and sorrows. The preacher of Ecclesiastes captures this rhythm beautifully:
- “A time to be born and a time to die.”
- “A time to weep and a time to laugh.”
- “A time to mourn and a time to dance.”
These verses remind us that life is full of contrasting moments that together form the tapestry of our existence. There’s a beauty in this ebb and flow, much like the ticking of a clock, reminding us that every moment, whether joyous or painful, contributes to the richness of our lives.
The Burden of Time
However, with this beauty comes a burden. Time is relentless, marching forward without pause. We often find ourselves overwhelmed by its passage, feeling out of control as the days turn into years. The repetitive news cycles of war, famine, and hatred can make time feel like a burden too heavy to bear.
Do we not often say, “Where did the year go?” or “It’s almost August; when did that happen?” Time seems to speed up as we age, each breath bringing us closer to our final one. This burden is inescapable, yet it also reminds us of our need to find meaning and purpose in our fleeting moments.
The Hand Who Holds Time
While we may not be in control of time, we can find comfort in knowing the One who is. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart.” This verse points us to God, the Creator, who rules over all time and has placed within us a longing for eternity.
Our restlessness and discontentment with time are signs that we were made for something more. Blaise Pascal famously said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, which only God can fill.” This deep-seated desire for meaning and eternity points us toward a relationship with our Creator, the One who holds all of time in His hands.
The Fulfillment of Time
The Old Testament is filled with promises of a future restoration and redemption. These promises find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.”
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection mark the fulfilment of time, bringing hope and restoration to a broken world. He proclaimed in Mark 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Through Jesus, we find the ultimate meaning and purpose that our hearts long for.
Now is the Time
In light of Jesus’ life and work, now is the time for us to live under His reign. Acts 1:7 reminds us that it is not for us to know the times or seasons fixed by the Father’s authority. Yet, we are called to live with urgency, sharing the good news of Jesus with the world around us.
2 Peter 3:9 explains why God delays His return: “The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God’s patience is an opportunity for us to make the most of our time, sharing His love and hope with others.
The End of Futility Is Near
Ecclesiastes 3 teaches us to embrace both the beauty and the burden of time. We can find peace and purpose amidst the chaos by recognising that our times are in God’s hands. Now is the time to live not just under the temporal sun but under the eternal Son, Jesus Christ.
As a community, let us strive to be a beacon of hope, offering refuge and security in Christ to those around us. We have good news to share: the end of futility is near for those who trust in Jesus. Let’s make the most of the time we have, living each moment as a gift from God and pointing others to the eternal hope found in Him.
Listen to Dave Miers’ sermon ‘Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 – The Tyranny of Time’ in our series THE END OF FUTILITY: