8 a time for loving and a time for hating,
a time for war and a time for peace
Reflection
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 has always been a universal protest song in my heart. I graduated high school in 1969, at the height of the war in Vietnam, shadowed by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr and Bobby Kennedy a year before. As I read the verse for today, I could not get the events of 1968/1969 out of my head or my heart. I dug out my high school yearbook to revisit the words of “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds, which were the introductory pages (with lyrics and pictures) to our 1969 yearbook.
The final verse of the song is:
A time for love. A time for hate.
A time for peace. I swear it’s not too late.
As I reflect on my life since 1969, I celebrate how the time for peace is seen through the development of worldwide computer technology connecting the global village as well as concerns for the environment and cultural changes for women, men and children around the world. Unfortunately, a time for war continues, too, as weapons have evolved to be used in places like the Holy Lands where centuries-old wars continue to rage.
This passage of Ecclesiastes reminds me how God’s creation is always changing as people are inspired to keep creating. It is difficult to understand how “God’s Time” can include a time for war as well as a time for peace. But God and humans are in this together! We cannot stop
humanity’s dark side but with God’s help we can redirect it as we co-create with God’s love. We have always been in partnership. We must listen to the cycle of life that is verbalized in Ecclesiastes and never forget that we are God’s partners in this creation.
When Jesus walked the earth, his primary concern was creating a Kin-dom or “Reign” of God on Earth. The Kin-dom of God was a vision that Jesus had for the future in which peace ruled our hearts, justice reigned supreme, there was enough for everyone, and each person was seen as a child of God and afforded dignity and respect. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is asked when God’s kin-dom would arrive. He replied that you won’t be able to say, “Look, here it is!” For, in fact the kin-dom of God is already among you (Luke 17:21).
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
God’s kin-dom is already among you. Such comforting words. And yet like those people in the time of Jesus, I wonder when will God’s kin-dom come? It is already among us. Seeds have been planted. It is up to us to water those seedlings. It is up to us to fertilize the next generation. It is up to us to be partners in creating what God has planted among us. How are you partnering with Medford UMC or others to become a co- creator with God? The possibilities are endless. You may need to step out of your comfort zone but know that the Spirit of God will give you strength and courage to make a positive difference.
Prayer: Gracious, loving God; Partner in Creation; Timeless Spirit: I confess that I have not taken every opportunity to work for peace. Forgive me. In the days to come, open my eyes to a world without wars and help me not to despair. Give me the inspiration and the courage to make a positive difference in the world. Through you, God, all things are possible. Amen
