The Byrds sang it: “A time to every purpose under heaven.”
I wonder how many people who still sing Turn! Turn! Turn! realize that the lyrics were taken essentially word-for-word from the Bible, Ecclesiastes ch. 3. It talks about a truth that those of us who live in this super-charged ultra-fast over-connected society often forget.
As an OB-Gyn physician I rejoice when it’s a time to be born. But I struggle to not feel like a failure when it’s time for one of my patients, or worse yet a close friend or family member, to die.
I find myself looking for the time to laugh and dance. I struggle to embrace the time to weep and mourn.
My nature is to keep silent. I’ve learned a great deal in my life by listening. I sometimes still struggle with the times where keeping silent is dangerous, or damaging to others.
I work long hours, perhaps sometimes too many long hours. I struggle to remember that my body, my mind, and my spirit need times of rest and refreshment. And I struggle even more to truly enjoy and relish those times.
Perhaps now that I’m well into middle age I’m gaining a different perspective on the seasons of life. For example, I can’t put in the hours I did during my medical training any longer. But I do have a sense that I’ve gained some perspective and wisdom that is valuable, and I am doing my best to use that perspective to add value to the lives of people around me.
I never had the opportunity to be a mother. But now being a step-grandmother is one of the greatest joys I could ever imagine! And I realize that each one of our children and grandchildren are only at this point in life for a brief time. Whatever I have to give, I best do so now!
Balance and tolerance are words and concepts that have become much overused. I believe a better question is:
What time is it?
Your turn: Do you struggle when it’s time for some of the less pleasant seasons of life? What time is it for you right now? I’d love to hear from you!
TURN! TURN! TURN!
The Byrds
To everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
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