A Time & Place for Everything

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In the summer of 2005, I read this book called "God is My CEO: Following God's Principles in a Bottom-Line World" by Larry Julian.  While finishing up reading one day, I flipped ahead to the next page to see what the beginning of the next chapter would be about.  There it had the scripture from Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (NIV).

During that time in my life, I can be honest and not afraid to share, that I had been struggling with my purpose here on earth. Meaning, I had been praying that God would reveal to me his purpose as He had designed my life. I was lead to the Jeremiah scripture, but the Holy Spirit said, "Almost there, but not yet. Do some more searching on purpose."  Lord have mercy!  I was led to Ecclesiastes 3:1. There, it says,

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

Oh man! Did that speak to me. I prayed that the Lord would reveal my purpose as He designed me and look where he led me. The Lord led me to an answer to my question. It may not have been what I wanted to here at the time, but it was an answer. I learned that there is a time and place for every purpose under Heaven and in due time, I would know my purpose. Let's read more in Ecclesiastes 3:

“(2) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (3) A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; (4) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (5) A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; (6) A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; (7) A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; (8) A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

You mean to tell me it is a time for EVERYTHING?! Well according to God's Word, this is the case. I know I was not the only one going through this "purpose search" and the Holy Spirit had me to share this for more than just myself. I would encourage you to read the rest of Ecclesiastes 3 as there is a lot more to read.

Just when you think it is time for an event to occur, God says, "Not so". It is on HIS time line that things happen. In due time HE reveals what you need to know. Meanwhile, we just have to be faithful to his WORD and know that he has what is best for us. Next time you feel like it is time to do something, check with God first. He will let you know. If he doesn't answer right away, wait on him. After all that very moment may not be the time to do that something.

Antoine E. Hall

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22

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