I often reflect on where I used to be and where I am today and most times it ends up with me showing gratitude to God for all that He has brought me through. Furthermore, it gives me the ability to track the time and seasons of my life.
In Ecclesiastes 3:3, the writer states, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens”. There were choices and decisions I made in my life, some of them unconsciously because it was the time and the season for change. Sometimes those changes came as a result of one choice and other times, the changes came as a result of a number of decisions made over a period of time.
The book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, though the text itself refers to the author as "The Teacher" or "The Preacher”. The link to Solomon is based on the first verse of the book, “The words of the Teacher, son of David, king of Jerusalem”. Although some scholars argue otherwise, the central message is as important today and it was back then.
After the initial phrase at the beginning of Chapter 3, the Preacher as the writer is also referred to, begins to list the times and seasons in the life of man. A time to be born and a time to die. This is an indisputable fact regardless of who you are. A time to plant and uproot. Although this is a fact in terms of agriculture but it can also be figuratively applied into our lives. I have experienced times in my life where I thought I had reached the place where I am planted and just when I began to relax and look for ways to extend my tentacles, I was uprooted.
How do we respond when life creates a situation that uproots us from where we are? It could be loss of a job or expired tenancy or other circumstances that cause us to be uprooted. When we recognise that there is a time for everything, it helps us pay attention to the change occurring in our lives and how we can adopt a positive attitude towards the situation. Being uprooted is not funny, I have experienced it a few times in my life and I wish I could say that I managed my emotions and disappointment well. With the benefit of hindsight, looking at where I am now, I can now understand why I needed to be uprooted from the place I was.
A time to kill and a time to heal. The phrase "a time to kill" is not to be interpreted as a literal endorsement of violence. Rather, it symbolises moments in our lives where we must "kill" or put to death certain habits, attitudes, or elements of our lives that hinder our spiritual growth. Paul echoes this in Colossians 3:5, where he urges believers to "put to death" anything that belongs to our earthly nature. Sin, pride, and selfishness must die for us to live in Christ fully.
Following this, "a time to heal" speaks of restoration. After we surrender those parts of our lives that do not honour God, we enter a season of healing—spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes even physically. Healing is not merely a return to what was, but a process of becoming more like Christ, restored in our identity and purpose.
A time to tear down and a time to build. This phrase carries a deep message and refers to removing old structures, mindsets, or systems that no longer serve God's purpose in our lives. This could mean letting go of toxic relationships, habits and unwholesome thoughts and conversations. The tearing down in some cases can be painful but thankfully it does not end there because this is followed by, “a time to build”.
The Jewish leaders did not understand this when Jesus told them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19) They were furious because they took his words literally to mean the physical temple. When Jesus was later arrested, this was one of the charges they brought against Him. What the Jewish leaders did not understand was that the temple Jesus was referring to was his body. The time came for his body to be torn down but afterwards it was the time to build. To Peter, Jesus said, “and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. “ (Matthew 16:18)
The wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:3 challenges us to live in harmony with God's will, recognising that there is a time and a season for everything. This requires discernment, patience, and a deep trust in God's timing. It means embracing the ebb and flow of life, knowing that even in the midst of chaos, God is at work.
