Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"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


This is excellent.  I think sometimes we get so attached to one side of the equation that we can't deal with it when the other side comes along.  we like that we were born, and we love peace, but we can't accept death and war.  But in this huge classroom of life, we have to see the whole spectrum.  We have to see and learn when good times are for all of these things.  When is it good to keep, and when is it good to cast away?  When is it good to embrace, and when to refrain from the same?  When is it good to speak, and when is it good to keep silence?  These are good things to learn... and it is good to remember that God is with us through all of the decisions that we make.  He doesn't demand that we always make the same choice... he tells us right here that sometimes one thing is good and sometimes another.  We can't solve all problems the same way... so, if it isn't working, maybe we should try something new.  Within the gospel, of course.  I don't think that we should go around making life and death decisions for people we don't like. :)  But also... I think that we need to remember that there is a time to mourn, but there is also a time to dance.  if we always mourn and never dance, we are doing ourselves a disservice. :)