“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, 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 be silent, 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
Our lives provide a time for all seasons, with each season presenting us with crosses to weather and blessings to reap. Pope Francis describes our earthly life as a novitiate or apprenticeship designed to teach us to appreciate God’s gifts and to prepare us for our ultimate purpose. “Our stable place, our destination is not here,” he notes. “It is beside the Lord, where He dwells forever.” Whatever we do, whenever the season, Christians know that every single thing stems from one reason: to glorify God. We are not made to know exactly when and how things happen. However, we can recognize the signs of the times and be ready to embrace the dynamic nature of the seasons of our lives.
Springtime bears the lush greenness of new life and the sprouting up of dewy buds that bloom into fragrant blossoms. We start fresh and unblemished, hopeful for a bounty of experiences yet to behold. Despite some growing pains, we burst into Summer bigger and stronger than ever. As we toil in the heat of our pursuits, we enjoy peaks in our performance, our accomplishments, and our connections. A refreshing Autumn breeze offers a respite from our labors as we begin to slow down. We take time for reflection and realize the wisdom we gain. Our Fall colors are brilliant and deep, but equally as vibrant as the beautiful and softer tones of Spring. As the leaves fade to brown, we are freed from the constraints of appearance. Superficialities of this world are stripped bare like the branches of the Winter trees. We focus less on the body and more on the soul. Under a pure white blanket of snow, life is changed, not ended. The promise of rebirth emerges as the light of Spring returns.
Saint Paul encourages us as “children of the light” to use our time wisely so that we might gain the inheritance of eternal salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). Faithful stewards of time study and follow the guiding principles that God gives us for righteous living. By investing time in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we obtain a deeper understanding of God’s plan for us. We are better able to discern our role in creation, to stay vigilant, and to find fulfillment in all the phases of our journey.
Although many people in our society view the passage of time as a problem to be solved, this mindset overlooks one of the greatest benefits of aging. “In old age the works of faith, which bring us and others closer to the Kingdom of God, are by now beyond the power of the energy, words, and impulses of youth and maturity,” observes Pope Francis. He explains: “Old age is the phase in life most suited to spreading the joyful news that life is the initiation to a final fulfilment. And the best is yet to come.”
Regardless of the season, our life takes on greater purpose when we spend our days traveling along the path of the Lord. This week, think about how you can make your minutes more meaningful by uniting the time you have with God. Prayerfully discern what efforts are best suited for your current phase of life. As you contribute to His good works, offer your time for His intentions. “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal” (John 6:27).
