Make Your Time Count (Friday, Week 25, Year 2)

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Is the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes in today’s passage (cf. Eccl. 3:1-11) saying that “everything” must be done at its “presumed” time (as those verses are often interpreted)? Does it mean that there is also time for us to dish out hatred, for us to kill and fight, and so on? In my own thinking, the passage is descriptive and not prescriptive. The writer simply DESCRIBES the way reality is experienced in daily life. Despite the fact that we may have some, little or no control over time or the succession of certain events or things, the writer added that “God has made everything beautiful in its time”. So, as much as possible, we have to make time count. 

We are not called to be passive spectators of the succession of things and events. Instead we are expected to actively influence the outcome of events. Yes, there is time for love and time for hate. But we can influence this succession to the point that the time for love can be long sustained, instead of passively giving room for time for hatred. This is the fatalism that we are called to restructure partly if not totally. Convinced by the scripture, we are aware that God has made everything beautiful in its own time (cf. Eccl. 3:11); and we must always make effort to act on that conviction by ensuring that time is productive with things and events that are noble, beautiful and acceptable. Again, WE MUST MAKE TIME COUNT, NOT JUST REMAIN PASSIVE AND COUNT TIME.

Jesus demonstrated that time can be qualitative, no matter how short or long it may be. He did not spend hundreds of years on earth. He did not even live up to 40 years. From reliable pieces of information, Jesus began his public ministry around the age of 30 and died at the age of 33. So, within a space of 3 years of ministry on earth, he was able to use his time to achieve much. His time was very qualitative and productive. He was able to establish the apostolic college, get a successor (in the person of Peter) and establish the Church (which has turned out to be the most influential and enduring group that has ever being formed in history). Despite his tight schedule, He also created time for prayers. Let us stop complaining that time is flying or moving slowly. We must become increasingly aware that we are the navigators of time. It is left for us to make time count. 



         

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