“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 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, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

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. The danger is to doubt it resent Gods timing. This can lead to despair, rebellion or moving ahead without God. Live in the moment. Don’t rush ahead of God or lag behind. We are to seek God for his direction every day.

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16

By saying “the days are evil” Paul was communicating his sense of urgency because of evils pervasiveness. We need the same sense of urgency because our days are also difficult. We must keep our standards high, act wisely and do good whenever we can.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

Realizing that time is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely and for eternal good. Take time to number your days by asking “What do I want to see happen in my life before I die? What small step could I take towards that purpose today?”

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. – John 17:4

We bring glory to God the same way that Jesus explained here by perusing his will for our lives. This is the mindset that we need to have when we are working in our careers as well as when we are serving in ministry.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” – James 4:13-15

Life is short no matter how many years we live. It has too many variables for you to guarantee your tomorrow. We need to plan for tomorrow but live in the current moment. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy your loved ones, or to do what you know you should do. Live for God today. When you do this, no matter when your life ends, you will have fulfilled Gods plan for yourself.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. – Proverbs 6:6-11 NIV

Those last few moments of sleep in the morning are soooo sweet. I know. But these verse in Proverbs warns against giving into this temptation of laziness and sleeping instead of working. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t rest. But we should not rest when we should be working. The ant is used an amazing example because it utilizes its energy and resources economically. These verses say that the result of laziness is poverty.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. – Ecclesiastes 9:10

Since we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, enjoy the legitimate pleasures of each day. Remember that God richly provides us with all things to enjoy as the bible says in 1 Tim 6:17. In doing this we need to remember not to seek enjoyment independent of God.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. – Matthew 24:36 NIV

The fact of the matter is that none of us know when Jesus will make his return. We shouldn’t think we have all the time in the world to get something done because God knows when this world will end. Our responsibility is to be alert and ready to do what God wants us to do in this very present moment.

from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; – 1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV

The sons of Issachar had a gift from God that they were able to discern the times and seasons that they were in and knew the best thing that Israel should do in that season. I call this the Issachar anointing. We need to also have this level of anointing so that we can make the most of every day that God has given us.