From Bud to Blossom
I thought about the gentle transition of a rose and how it first becomes a bud. It opens into a full grown rose and we never see it actually taking place. It just happens. It finally reveals its beautiful center and the many rows of delicate petals that overlap one another to create a work of beauty. The rose once bloomed then begins to die in its second phase. We are blessed for such a small amount of time to behold its beauty. It is God's creation and there is nothing we can do to change its appointed time. Just as there is nothing we can do to change our own lives. Everything has a beginning and an ending.
In the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon discovers that there is a time for everything. God ordained it and it can't be changed. Even King Solomon with all his wealth and wisdom found he was no match for his Creator. It was his job to accept it and make the most of the time he was given.
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for everything under heaven~ a time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear 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 throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hated; A time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
God sets the standards by witholding and also dispensing satisfaction. And He also appoints the "times" for it all. Solomon is saying that it is good to persue things in their proper time and place, but its unprofitable if it's persued as the main goal without God. Some things we search for were never God's intentions for us. This will never work out for our good. It's always being in the will of God that promises to be profitable. If it is in His will He makes us that promise. (Romans 8:28)
Further along Solomon realizes that God is the One Who sets eternity in a man's heart. We must trust what God has set into motion since the beginning of time. We will never know the mysteries of life. And we shouldn't get so wrapped up in trying to solve them. Our lives in comparison to the rose, lasts for only a little while. Like that rose, we should sit back and just enjoy it for all that it is. Like the rose, our lives should reveal the beauty that God set in each of us. It is to our advantage to rejoice and be happy because it is a gift from God.
"I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor - it is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:12,13
Solomon also recognizes that it is of no use going through life in fear. God, not life is the only thing we should fear. He doesn't mean being afraid of God, but rather approaching Him with reverence. The works of His hands is perfect and this is the reason we worship and serve Him. Apart from God, man's work is utterly useless. What He created will be for eternity, but our bodies due to sin are destined to die. But He fixed that too when one day we will be resurrected as Christ was also raised. This is every believers main goal, to be joined with Christ.
"I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him." Ecclesiastes 3:14
The final conclusion and overall view is that when all is said and done, we will all have to face God's judgement one day. It is God's appointed time also when every man shall be judged, there is nothing we can do to prevent that. God's judgement is the central theme to this book, even though Solomon doesn't come right out and say it. But he is telling us that there is a greater issue of divine retribution that lies ahead for each and every one of us at some point. Our fate is to die, that is a given. Solomon wants us to know that we all share this one thing in common. Money, power, fame or wisdom can not prevent this from happening. Poor as well as wealthy die. It is our final destiny. He even goes as far as to say, we like beasts will decompose. It has nothing to do with our eternal soul. We all go back into the earth.
"I said to myself concerning the sons of men, 'God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.' For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust." Ecclesiastes 3:18-20
Solomon points out that God loves His creation in man so much that only we have souls that will live eternaly. Where we choose to spend eternity is up to us however. But the beasts have no eternal life, no souls. They are much like that rose, they bud, they bloom and then they pass away into the earth. Man is the only creature who can escape death and for this reason should be happy with his life. But Solomon expresses that death in our bodies is inevitable.
"I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?" Ecclesiastes 3:22
Life in today's world is robbing people of valuable time. For every new gadget that claims to save us time, is just one more thing we are responsible for. It's one more thing we become enslaved to. These convenient items do not come without a price. The more expenses we add onto our paychecks, the less money we have for the necessary items, and then we find ourselves working two jobs just to make ends meet. This steals the time that should be for our children and loved ones. Aren't these things really all futile in the long run? Satan is a liar. And he has done a bang up job deceiving our society into believing all these "things" will make us important. Important to who? God has created us for so much more than that. Before you upgrade on one more item, ask yourself this..."Do I absolutely have to have this or is it making me a victim of unhappiness?" What do you value more...the life God meant for you to have or trying to make it into something that you think you want? Remember, God made us to be happy, not busy in our activities.
We don't know what this world is coming to, but we do know the One Who is coming to this world!
All Scripture quoted from the American Standard Bible
Related Tags: inspirational, christ, spiritual, christianity, purpose, revealed, seasons, appointed time, rosebud
Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles in which to help strengthen the Believer's walk in Christ. They are often taken from today's point of view and used in conjunction with what God says about certain situations and how we are to handle them. There is always an answer for every problem. These articles are not all about asking God "why?" but in finding the answers.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- 21 Benefices Of Rahu Unplugged
The name of Rahu first appears in the Mahabharata when we read the story of the churning of the ocea - Black Magic Spells
Black magic is the principle idea of practicing of magic which represents on assumed spiteful powers - The 3 Ways To Increase The Amazing Grace Of God Upon Your Life
The Amazing grace of God, which is the unmerited favour of God and blessings has been given to all a - The Final Days And Death Of The Buddha
After he reached enlightenment under the Bodhi tree Siddhartha Gautama carried on preaching his mess - Is The Bible The Word Of God
Have you ever wondered if the bible really is the word of God? There are so many religious activitie - India Post Ayodhya Issue Verdict -a Metaphor In Astrological Terms
As the day for the pronouncement of the judgment is drawing near so is the pulse of India on an incr - Where Have All The Burnt Stones Gone?
I was useless at mathematics when I was at school, but by the time I attended Business School I had - Self Improvement Articles - Learning How to Hypnotise Someone Will Change Your Life!
In the past peoples views about hypnosis tended to involve a clock being swung in front of somebody' - Christianity Articles - The Wicked Shall be Turned into Hell
David, in Psalms 9:17, made this statement: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nati - Buddhism Articles - Let the Arrow Fly
(This little tale is about life, and how we look in all the wrong places for our contentment).
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Passion
A great shift is in the making: A time for very deep purification and cleansing from the inner core - I Love You
Dear Loved Ones,Good day to you all on this wonderful day full of life and love.Let us all open up o - Spiritual Enlightenment: Alchemical Secret To Going Beyond Humanity To Become An Immortal Exposed
This article reveals the “SECRET WISDOM” in the teachings of all world SPIRITUAL t - Energy Vampire?
Could you, or maybe someone you know; be habitually Driven by anxiety or fear? Could you, or mayb - Automatic Tithing
Last year we went on a two-week trip to the West African country of Nigeria. This is Miata's father - Kabbalah-Way of The Heart
Newton, Jung, Freud, Shakespeare, Blake, and Pythagoras what do they all have in common? These great - Dream Interpretation from a Bible Story
How well do you remember your dreams? Do you pay attention to it by the time you wake up? Everyday, - Healing into Light - The Purification of Individuals and of the Earth
Today, many people on the planet are in need of healing and are suffering through difficult times - - If You Can Read This, Thank A Teacher
Recently the TV news bulletin announced that hundreds of teachers are getting burned out and moving - The Holy Grail - Why It Doesn't Matter
What would you think if I said that I had completely and conclusively solved the mystery of the Holy