DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The Time In Between
by Jennifer Jerrome
Today’s scripture is one many may be familiar with. It says there is a time for everything under the heavens. This kind of time is earthly time, which is easily measured in seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, or years. On earth there is a beginning and an end to everything. There is…
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build. (v. 2-3)
But what about the time in between? Between birth and death there is living. Between planting and uprooting there is growth. Between tearing down and building there is simply existing.
And while we exist, we must do something with this time. Verse 9 asks, “What do workers gain from their toils?” What do we gain from life on earth? One of the most asked (and answered) questions is, "What is the meaning of life?” So much emphasis is placed on meaning. This all must mean something, right??
We get hung up on how we spend our time, and rightfully so because we are humans looking to free ourselves from the burden of sin. But what we can’t forget is that within our human hearts, God has set eternity. (v. 11) How beautiful is that?! I can picture our loving Creator gently placing His Spirit in each of us. We hold Him in our hearts. Alongside the burden, we carry true freedom because we were made for eternity.
One day we’ll shed this earthly body and trade our sin for a crown - a new life in heaven. So, while God wants us to enjoy our time on Earth, and produce fruit, we must remember that this is the time in between.
PRAYER
Father,
Anything we do on Earth will not last. Buildings will crumble, memories will fade, but your love is forever. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. You made us for Heaven. And we joyfully await your Kingdom. Amen
Jennifer, what a great devotion for this Friday morning. Your words give much to ponder: "But what about the time in between? Between birth and death there is living. Between planting and uprooting there is growth. Between tearing down and building there is simply existing." I will take this thought with me into my day. Thank you.