May 31st - A Blessed Balance

A Blessed Balance

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-17;

11:7-10;

12:1-8, 13-14)

Graduation Celebration

Public Domain Clip-Art

Perhaps the most famous portion of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes appears in the third chapter. This passage declares the order of God’s purposes in human life:

A Time for Everything

“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NIV)

If our lives are in the Lord’s hands, will we trust Him with our times and seasons?

Great Advice for Graduates

On this final day in the month of May, multitudes of families and school faculties are celebrating commencement ceremonies. Many others have done so recently or are eagerly awaiting their festivities in the coming weeks. Valedictorians, salutatorians, principals, deans, authors, scholars and celebrities are polishing and delivering commencement speeches.

What advice can be gleaned from Ecclesiastes for those who will march in graduation ceremonies to receive their hard-earned diplomas? What words of wisdom might help to launch these young adults into the world?

Certainly, anyone contemplating past accomplishments and future direction can identify with the message of Ecclesiastes. What better occasion to place one’s trust in the living Lord, who knows the end from the beginning and holds the future in His own hands?

Today, it seems somehow fitting to revisit a song made popular in the 1960s. Composed in 1959 by folk-rocker Pete Seeger, and based on today’s passage from the Bible book of Ecclesiastes, here is “Turn, Turn, Turn (to Everything There Is a Season).” In this video, the song is performed by The Byrds.

.

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Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father,

How we love You.

We thank You for guiding

And holding

And keeping us

Each day of our lives.

We pray for those who are graduating

And entering new callings.

Lead us all

Along the paths

You have carved

For our lives,

For You know best

In your wisdom,

Mercy

And love.

Amen.