“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.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“I’m not going to lie, Julia. It doesn’t look good.” Dr. Stein rolls his chair away from my charts pinned on the X ray screen.
“How active are you?” He peers at me from behind his small round glasses.
I groan inside as I mentally recall the countless times my husband John warned me to back off from my daily runs. Despite the fact that I knew my husband had my best interest in mind; I was pretty occupied with more crucial matters…such as fitting into my favorite jeans (as soon as possible, of course).
The look of guilt written all over my face must have given Dr. Stein a bit of a clue.
“It appears you have a tiny stress fracture on your ankle. This type of damage usually occurs from overuse.” He shakes his head while scribbling some notes on my chart.
“Ice and elevate your leg as often as you can. Reduce your activity levels for the next six weeks. Come back and see me if it gets worse.” Tucking the manila folder neatly under his arm, he stands to exit the room.
“What does that mean?” I’m befuddled in my complete denial of his diagnosis. Right now, my fitness goals are the only things on my mind.
“It means that you should just relax and take a break. Your body is telling you it needs it…I know it sounds hard, but somebody’s got to do it.” Dr. Stein smiles while he unsympathetically pats me on the back.
When I read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, it makes me ponder the setbacks that come with life a little bit deeper.
Nothing alive is ever stagnant. The rhythms in life are reflected in nature itself. When the temperature drops and the leaves change their hue, I look forward to pumpkin pie and autumn walks. God’s nature is telling me that my favorite season is on it’s way.
When I was diagnosed with that stress fracture, my life was moving at a pace that was pretty overwhelming for me. Although I complained plenty, I wasn’t doing much to change my situation.
My foot injury forced me to balance out my priorities and relax a little bit.
How long has it been since you’ve enjoyed a season of rest and relaxation? If nothing comes to mind, then perhaps maybe it’s your time.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all that you have blessed me with. Sometimes in the blur of life, I don’t take the time to enjoy, appreciate or thank you for all the blessings I have.
I’m sorry to admit that I take so many things for granted. Forgive me of this and help open my eyes to have a deeper appreciation.
When things don’t go my way, I tend to get irritated and controlling. I try harder to “make things happen”. In doing this, many times I have only made my situation worse.
I need to let go—to really trust you.
I realize that in the good and in the ‘bad’ there is always a lesson to be learned. Help me to learn sooner, rather than later.
In the meantime, I’m so thankful for your patience with me. I know you’ve never given up on me. Help me to never give up on you! Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan