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Time to Dance



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)


The Bible tells us often that there is a time for everything.  When I am writing and reflecting, I tend to focus on the hardships of life.  The verse I would consider my "life verse" or go-to verse is John 16:33, which discusses that while life WILL have troubles, Christ conquers them all.

While focusing on these promises is truly where we can find the most hope possible, what do we do during the times to laugh? Times to dance? All the other times when we are experiencing seasons of joy, peace, or contentment?

I feel like these happy times tend to produce opposite reactions than what would be expected.  Is it just me, or is the Bible most read when I am searching for answers to my problems?  God is sometimes viewed as that safety net-but what happens when we are back to shore?



There are times in my life where I have had that sinking feeling- it can be fear, depression, loneliness, discontentment, or anything else.  Here is when it seems easiest to dive into Scripture- to see the promises that God has already lined up for us.  But what happens after He has delivered?  What do we do then?

Have you ever spent so long begging God to make something happen, like that job or that relationship, then when it does, you walk around like you're all that?  Like you forget about the months of prayer and begging God to give you the strength, hope, courage, words, etc., that when He does, you forget that you had help to begin with?  I think this happens too often.

God does promise to be faithful, and He is absolutely where we should turn when something is wrong, but maybe we need to focus on Him before we hit rock bottom.

Let's look at the other times, the seasons of love, laughter, and dancing.  Instead of focusing on what He can be doing for us, what can we be doing for Him?  These are the times to speak.  These are the times to sew, and to build up.

I have been reading about Paul lately, and His story is just incredible.  Going from Saul, who was persecuting Christians and living a horrid lifestyle, to Paul who risks his life and comfortable living over and over to further the kingdom?  THAT is bold!  But have you realized that what makes his story so incredible is the exact same gift that God has offered you?  What, or should I say who, gave him the courage to live such a radical life is the same One who offered His LIFE for you?  Thankfully, Paul was able to see the significance of that and give up who he was for who Christ is.  



During the times of peace in our lives, why are we not taking radical steps to allow others to have this peace as well?  When did netflix, sleep, going out, *enter your fav past time here*, become more important than the work we have been called to do?  

As I mentioned earlier as well as in all my others posts, God IS who we should turn to for peace and hope, and if you think about it, I'm sure you have some examples of the many times He has delivered you from your past.  If this is the case, those around you who don't know Christ are looking for that same kind of deliverance and hope.  Instead of clinging to God like a safety net then tossing Him aside once you are out of the rough waters, let's all allow Him to radically transform us daily as Paul did.

Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me". (Luke 9:23)
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