Peace: A 4-Day Devotional by Anna GoldenSample

Day 2: There is a time for THAT, too.

Scripture: “There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth: A right time for birth and another for death, A right time to plant and another to reap, A right time to kill and another to heal, A right time to destroy and another to construct, A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time to lament and another to cheer, A right time to make love and another to abstain, A right time to embrace and another to part, A right time to search and another to count your losses, A right time to hold on and another to let go, A right time to rip out and another to mend, A right time to shut up and another to speak up, A right time to love and another to hate, A right time to wage war and another to make peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, MSG)

Song of the day: “There Is a Time” 

So much of the absence of PEACE in my life stemmed from this thought: I’m not in the right place. I was paralyzed by this notion. Over and over again, I would rehearse all the things I thought I wasn’t doing “right” or where I thought I “should” be. In return, I would find myself completely missing out on the present moment and everything beautiful happening around me. 

One thing I love about Scripture is how intricately intentional it is. The Lord knows how our minds work. He already knew I would have these thoughts, so He gave me the most beautiful, grounding Scripture—Ecclesiastes 3. 

Verses 1-5 lay out every single season we face in this life, and it states how there is a time for THAT, too. This passage helps me recognize that every season has its place in His story, and just because it doesn’t always feel right doesn’t mean I’m not exactly where I’m supposed to be.

My encouragement for you today: Wherever you find yourself right now, there is a time for THAT, too. You’re not in the wrong season. You didn’t “miss” God’s will. There could never be a harvest without a planting AND a waiting season. He has ordained every step you take. Rest in the fact that you are right where the Lord needs you to be.