Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 
There is a time for everything, 
and a season for every activity under the heavens: 
a time to be born and a time to die, 
a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
a time to kill and a time to heal, 
a time to tear down and a time to build, 
a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
a time to mourn and a time to dance, 
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
a time to search and a time to give up, 
a time to keep and a time to throw away, 
a time to tear and a time to mend, 
a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
a time to love and a time to hate, 
a time for war and a time for peace. (NIV)

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What time is it where you are? 

Last week, I talked to a man who was preparing to travel to one of those countries on the other side of the world where time zones are marked in half-hour increments rather than full-hour increments. That means if it’s 4:00 in one time zone, it’s 4:30 in the time zone next door. We experienced this in South America a few years ago. I have no idea who came up with this idea, but it apparently works. 

When we talk about time, we often mean more than seconds and minutes, hours, and days. What time is it in our lives? Are we early in our years? In the middle of our lives? Nearing the end of our lives? Since we don’t yet know the date of our death, it’s a bit hard to speak with authority on this particular matter. 

Sometimes it’s simpler to talk about seasons of our lives or seasons of our souls. I’m in that grandparent season. I like it a lot. Every chance I get, I do the very typical grandparent thing and pull out pictures and tell stories about the most amazing grandkids in the whole wide world. Trust me. They are amazing. One of them is handsome. The other three are beautiful. They are practically perfect in every way. 

I’m also in that season where I’m planning what’s next from a work standpoint. I’ve already announced my retirement. It’s still far enough into the future that it’s not imminent, but boy, it’s getting here fast. 

My bride and I spent the weekend in the Atlanta metro area at a training event focused on helping us gain clarity about what we will do from a work perspective in retirement. This got short due to travel issues. 

We woke up yesterday morning to a note from American Airlines saying there was a high chance our flight home would be delayed due to bad weather. There were two flights we could jump on earlier if we didn’t want to experience those delays. Since we both have important matters to attend to today, we decided to take one of those earlier flights. 

It’s a good thing we did. The flight we were originally scheduled to take did not arrive at our local airport until 1:56 a.m. That means we would not have made it home until nearly 3:30 a.m. My friends, that’s what you call a short night. That’s more of a nap than a good night’s rest. 

So we awoke refreshed and ready for the day today because we got in bed before 10:00 last night. 

The good news is we learned enough at the training we attended to know that it’s not the direction we want to go. It’s good stuff, but it’s going to cost as much as it delivers. I would prefer not to be at the break-even point with things that I do going forward. I’d kind of like to get ahead in whatever work I decide to do. 

So here, just after 6 a.m. on a Monday, as I write these words, I feel pretty good about saying no to that opportunity we examined up close and personal this weekend. In this season of our lives, it’s just not a good fit. Ten years ago, it would have been a great fit, but this opportunity wasn’t available then, and I’m not sure I would have been ready for it if it had been. 

Being on time in our current season is always a big deal. Here are some points to ponder. 

1. What season are you in? 
2. What time is it in this particular season? 
3. What do you need to do now to prepare for what’s next? 
4. What does the Good Life look like for you and those closest to you three years from now? 
5. Who can help you clarify that hoped-for reality and help you plan your best next steps to get there? 

Listening to the life-giving rain this Monday morning, I’m happy to be home and to be able to go to work and do the things before me today. I’m also happy that the 8 a.m. meeting I was supposed to have got moved to 10 a.m. What does this make possible? For starters, one more cup of coffee to make sure I have brushed all the cobwebs of the weekend away so that I can focus clearly on all that’s before me today and to prepare for the week ahead.

And now it’s time to do what comes next. 

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I will step into this day with confidence in knowing I’m where I should be for this particular season. 

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Our Father, lead me step by step, thought by thought, moment by moment, through this day. I ask that you would likewise lead me step by step, thought by thought, moment by moment, regarding everything that lies ahead. I ask that you would give me your clear direction at all times in all things. Show me when and where to start and stop. Help me gain crystal clarity on which season I’m in and what time it is in that season. Most importantly, empower me to do all that you ask of me as you direct my steps. Make me fruitful and effective in this season of my soul. Amen.