I tend to take a book of the Bible, read it and then move on to another one. I am just finishing up Ecclesiastes; and I like to challenge you to read it if you have the interest or time. It is short:  only 12 chapters and each chapter is about a half page.

 

The book is written by Solomon who had it all, knew it all, and did it all at some time during his life. But then he began to reflect:  what did all of it mean?

 

Probably one of the three or four most well-known verses in the Bible; frequently repeated at funerals:

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

A Time for Everything

 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 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.

 

Notice most of the two parts, we like one part of it and don't like the other. Solomon says the reality is we are probably going to get both at some time during our lives. So what do we do with the 'good' stuff and the 'bad'? My Bible Commentary says, "Timing is important. All the experiences listed in these verses are appropriate at certain times. The secret to peace with God is to discover, accept, and appreciate God's perfect timing."