Beautifying the Time

As I sit with Holy Spirit, I see a huge golden gear turning clockwise. I am drawn to the teeth on it, time forward. I hear the words from Holy Spirit saying, “Time is precious.” Scripture has a lot to say about time. Ecclesiastes 3:1–3 says:

3 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

(emphasis mine)

In verses 2–8, it lists a time to:

• give birth and a time to die;
• plant and a time to uproot what is planted;
• kill and a time to heal;
• tear down and a time to build up;
• weep and a time to laugh;
• mourn and a time to dance;
• throw stones and a time to gather stones;
• embrace and a time to shun embracing;
• search and a time to give up as lost;
• keep and a time to throw away;
• tear apart and a time to sew together;
• be silent and a time to speak;
• love and a time to hate;
• a time for war and a time for peace.

Where do you find yourself in this list? If it is a hard time, there is the flip side—a good and beautiful turn—that the Lord is bringing you to. Ecclesiastes 3:11 adds: 

11 He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

The Amplified Bible (emphasis mine)

We engage with a beautiful God Who makes everything beautiful in its time as part of His masterful redemptive plan. Even when we are suffering, we can look to God Who is our hope, Restorer, and Life! Psalm 30:5b says:

5 Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

NASB

Psalm 31:15 and 19 elaborates: 

15 My life, my every moment, my destiny—it’s all in your hands. So I know you can deliver me from those who persecute me relentlessly.

19 Lord, how wonderful you are! You have stored up so many good things for us, like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings—all for those who honor and worship you! Everybody knows what you can do for those who turn and hide themselves in you.

The Passion Translation (TPT)

(emphasis mine)

God has joined you to Himself (Eph. 1:4 and 2 Tim. 1:9–10). He is with you (Heb. 13:5), understanding what you are going through—good, bad, or indifferent—moment by moment (Heb. 4:15). Psalm 62:7-8 rings out:

7 God’s glory is all around me! His wraparound presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength.

8 Trust only in God every moment!

Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him.

Believe me when I tell you—he will help you!

Pause in his presence.

TPT (emphasis mine)

He is turning the time of your trouble, mourning, trial, and suffering into something with new life and beauty. Song of Songs 2:10-11,13 peels forth in poetry of Christ toward His bride:

10 The one I love calls to me:

Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! 

I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out.

For now is the time, my beautiful one.

11 The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone.

The rains have soaked the earth. 

13 Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me.

TPT (emphasis mine)

You have SO MUCH to enjoy now and to look forward to. I hope this has encouraged and inspired you, and I would love to hear how God is beautifying the seasons of your life!

Much Love,

Catherine