Discern the Times

Ecclesiastes 3:6a NIV

“A time to search and a time to give up as lost…”

There are times to seek out things in this life and there are times to stop searching. The verse emphasizes that life is in a balance between desires and wisdom of what is reality. True wisdom is discerning the current season and acting according to God’s timing, not our own timing.

I would like to think I’m an expert on this subject because in my late teens to the time I was thirty years of age I was searching for things that were allusive to me, both earthly things and spiritual. Without getting into actual things that I was searching for, I was seeking things of this life that I felt were norms, things that I perceived as life that I wanted to attain to. The reality was that God was trying to get through my thick head that I needed to stop my search for the earthly things and pursue the spiritual things first and foremost. (“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” Matthew 6:33). When I did, things began to fall into place because I was in a better place spiritually. That is the key to seeking, finding, knowing the will of God. My way from that point on was not perfect because I kept getting in my own way and I kept getting into God’s way, but God is a God of grace and mercy and He brought me through, or should I say, He is bringing me through.

Prayer:

Lord, I have seen the bitter side of seeking my own way, that way is never fulfilling, and I would have never found true joy and peace seeking my own way. Seeking You and Your righteousness allowed me to find out who I was to be in Jesus, what You wanted me to be. Thank You for Your patience and forgiveness and especially for Your love. In Your name Lord Jesus, thank You, Amen!