"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

 April 24

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (RSV)

April is a time of contrasts and contradictions. Robert Frost wrote with deep insight about the real nature of this beautiful month when he said, “The sun was warm, but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day.” Solomon, the writer of today's bible verse from the book of Ecclesiastes was also deeply aware of the contrasting nature and dichotomies of God's awesome creation. Planting is contrasted with harvesting, birth with death, and breaking down with building up. Yet for each event to be meaningful and beautiful, timing is vital.

All the experiences listed in these verses are appropriate at certain times if they are within God's intended purpose. This is why our Lord created various seasons and provided us with contrasting cycles of life. Each event is to be treasured and every season valued because all days, months, and times of life offer unique blessings and productive work for us. God has a perfect plan for creation, the world, humanity and you. Although we all face problems at times that seem to contradict God's perfect plan for our lives, this is an illusion.

God, our Creator, is still in charge and will take your problems and transform them into blessings if you leave the timing to him. Or as Solomon also said, "God makes everything beautiful in its time"(Eccl. 3:11). Don't let hard times and troubles become barriers to believing in the Lord. Rather rest a minute, pause, breath deep, look around you at the emerging green grass and remember that this beautiful April day would not have been possible without the icy cold freezing days of January. Your problems have a purpose. God will reveal their meaning in time because He makes all things beautiful in the right time!

Prayer: God, Help me to see the beauty in this day and leave my problems to you, Lord, to resolve. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: April's butterfly was yesterday worm.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)