In 1977 I attended a two day Managing Your Time conference led by Ted Engstrom and Ed Dayton of World Vision. It was one of the most effective seminars I have ever participated in teaching me how to set objectives, goals and to measure my time and life. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to make most of the time, or to redeem the time that we have been given. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us a great deal about our time on earth.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

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,

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.

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in his toil – this is the gift of God.

God will call the past to account. God will bring to judgment for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.

The twin truths that are brought to our attention are that God is in control of our time (Psalm 31:15), yet we also are to be held accountable for the use of our time. There are different responsibilities for us at various times in our lives. Sometime we have to do or be one thing and at other times we have to do or be the opposite. We have to decide what is appropriate to the occasion. We have to discern what is beautiful or good to do in its own time. We can lament or rejoice, take risks or be cautious, speak up or be silent, buy or sell, be a peacemaker or a warrior. Jesus may tell us to do one thing or he may tell us to do the opposite according to the circumstances. One passage of Scripture may speak to us at one time and another passage at another. It is not confusing if we are prayerful in our obedience. Jesus may be the Prince of peace but he also said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” and to turn family members against one another (Matthew 10:34-36). All this calls for discernment. “He who has ears, let him hear (Matt.11:15). One size does not fit all. What one person you admire does in his situation does not mean that determines what you should in yours. “For why should my freedom be judged by another man’s conscience? (1 Cor.10:29) “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16).