This is a favorite passage for many people, particularly when you understand that to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. The author does not say some things, but rather everything. The scripture continues to discuss different times in life that we may have witnessed: individuals being born, others who are deceased, planting, plucking up, weeping, laughing, mourning, dancing, etc. Both our actions and the timing of our actions are important to God.

I love reading the Bible – read it several times over many years. Every time you read it, you gain a new insight or new perspective. It’s truly amazing how the daily bread is always fresh, never stale. 

Although it is hard to choose one favorite book in the Bible, this is one of my favorites in the Old Testament. Ecclesiastes was written by a person who calls himself Teacher/Preacher (who was King over Israel in Jerusalem). This book of wisdom consists of twelve chapters, and I encourage you to read it in its entirety. One of the main ideas is how a life not centered on God is meaningless and without worth.

In the passage above, verse 5 really gave me a new outlook. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing... this is very interesting to me. Forgive me for saying, but I really thought it meant that it was okay to avoid embracing, greeting, or hugging people that you may have a disagreement with(!) At times, I have conveniently run away from people and circumstances to avoid addressing the person or situation. 

The global COVID-19 pandemic changed our outlook on embracing. It was difficult – yearning to hug and embrace individuals, when for health reasons it was unadvisable. Not only were we unable to embrace each other; we had to embrace new technologies, ideas, medicines, thought processes, and new ways of worshiping. 

In the end, Ecclesiastes shows us that our activity in this life is meaningful as we rely on His wisdom, His timing, and His goodness.

God bless you!

Matilda