Turn! Turn! Turn!

Yesterday I heard an old song again. It originates from the year 1950 and is performed by Pete Seeger. One seldom hears it on the radio, but most of us would have heard it at some time or another. It is called “Turn! Turn! Turn!”

I've known it for a long time before listening more attentively to the words. Amazingly, the words are even much older than the song. Pete Seeger was singing a portion from the Old Testament. It is from the Book Ecclesiastes, chapter 3:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, 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.”

Often we hear, as Christians we are not allowed to partake in everything, especially that which gives enjoyment... However, the Preacher Solomon who penned this scripture says that everything has its time. Even though we shouldn't apply all of it word for word to our lives, the scriptures says basically the same as what Paul says in our scripture for today: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient...

Even as Christians we are still living in this world – and even we are given joy and enjoyment by God. Even we are allowed to enjoy our earthly life, where possible. God does not spoil our fun! When something is good for us, it is mostly also good for others. When something is not good for others, then usually it is not good for us either.

Even in the Bible we find many times when people enjoyed themselves. Think about the time, at the wedding in Canaan when Jesus turned water into wine – and that when the guests were not very sober any more!

In like manner Christians should not walk around with long faces, but delight themselves in that which God has given us here.

I wish you a blessed day filled with enjoyment!

Rainer Gigerich