Ecclesiastes: Chapter 3

Chapter 3 is where we begin to find the answer to what life's purpose is.  The "A time for everything" I call it is comforting to read when we begin to ask the question "Why."  The reality is that God has a purpose for "everything under the sun."  Every single step we take, word we say, hug we share, trial we go through has a purpose.  Most times our human eyes can't see the purpose behind tragedy especially.  This is when it is hardest, but after reading Chapter 3 verses 1-8, we find that it is a little easier because it is the plan of God.  I just want to record these verses here for your convenience and reading again.

Chapter 3 says: 1.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 keep, 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.
The king in Jerusalem in the first two chapters was right in the since that life does go in a circular motion, and there is nothing new under the son.  Everything that happens has happened before, maybe not to you, but to someone.  The difference is "life is not meaningless," but exactly the opposite!
As I said before, every step and action we take in our life "means" something, whether it is to you personally or to someone who knows or observes you.  Our life experiences as well as other people's experiences are meant to entertwine and teach us things.  Our lives are mirrors through which we see ourselves, but which others see as a reflection of ourselves.  Our perception of ourselves can be very different than that of others and in fact often are.  These are my thoughts when I read Chapter 3.  Please share your thoughts if you are inclined to do so.

We are all similar to these ducks, different sizes, colors with different personalities and traits, but in the beginning we are each given breath, and in the end, we all die.  We just all march toward the end at different paces and through unique circumstances, but we are all alike, just like our fellow creatures of the air and sea, we too will die.
photo: Freida