What Can We Say About Time?

 A Reflection Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-10

By Rev. Marvel Souza

Sermon preached on November 17, 2022

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

What can we say about time? This is a question that has accompanied humanity throughout history. Time is part of our existence. It shapes our stories, our decisions, our accomplishments, and even our struggles. Although all of us live within time, the way we experience and understand time changes throughout the different seasons of life.

During childhood, time seems almost unlimited. Children live fully in the present moment without worrying about hours, minutes, schedules, or deadlines. Time is measured by simple moments: the time to play, the time to eat, and, sometimes with difficulty, the time to go to sleep. There is a beautiful freedom in childhood, as if there will always be enough time for everything.

During adolescence, we begin to discover that time comes with responsibilities. School schedules, assignments, commitments, and dreams for the future teach us that time must be valued and managed. Little by little, we learn that our choices are connected to how we use the time we have been given.

In adulthood, time takes on a different meaning. We organize our lives around calendars, schedules, appointments, and responsibilities. Hours, minutes, days, weeks, months, and years become part of our daily routine. For many people, time stops feeling like a gift and begins to feel like a burden—a constant reminder of everything we need to accomplish and a source of anxiety when we feel there is never enough time.

However, for those who believe in God, time is not simply a countdown. Every day that passes is also a step closer to the fulfillment of God’s promises and the hope of our eternal redemption in Christ. Time is held in the hands of the One who knows the beginning and the end of all things.

The Bible reminds us that God is the Lord of time. God is not limited by our circumstances, our calendars, or our understanding. When Joshua prayed, God answered him and caused the sun to stand still, showing that even creation is under God’s authority (Joshua 10:12-14). When King Hezekiah received a promise from God, the shadow on the sundial went backward as a sign that God’s word would be fulfilled (Isaiah 38:1-8). The psalmist also declares that, for God, “a thousand years are like a day that has just gone by” (Psalm 90:4). Our time is secure in the hands of an eternal God.

Every season of our lives has a purpose. The different chapters we experience are not wasted when we allow God to teach and transform us through them. The psalmist prayed, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Time shapes us, matures us, and helps us understand more deeply who we are and who God is calling us to become.

Time also teaches us important virtues such as patience and hope. Many times, we desire immediate answers, but God often works through processes. God responds to our prayers at the right time—not only when we are asking, but when we are prepared to receive and faithfully carry what God provides (Psalm 40).

Jesus also reminds us that there is more than physical time; there is spiritual time. When Jesus said, “The fields are ripe for harvest,” He was speaking about the urgency of God’s mission and the opportunity to share God’s love with the world (John 4:35-36). Our lives should not be controlled by anxiety about tomorrow, because Jesus invites us to trust in the Father’s care and fully embrace the present moment (Matthew 6:25-33).

As followers of Christ, we are called to recognize the sacred opportunities God places before us. It is a time to worship, because God is seeking true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23). It is a time to share the Good News, bringing hope and proclaiming Christ’s love to a world that longs for healing and grace. It is also a time to remain connected with one another, strengthening our community of faith as we encourage and support each other on this journey (Hebrews 10:25).

So, one important question deserves our attention in prayer: “God, what season of life am I living right now?” Perhaps God is calling us toward change, a new step of faith, a fresh beginning, or simply an invitation to rest more deeply in God’s presence.

Those who constantly run against time often live in anxiety and exhaustion. But God calls us to walk within God’s time, trusting that God is present in every moment of our journey.

Do not waste today trying to control tomorrow. Live the present with faith, hope, and gratitude, because today is God’s gift to you.