URC Daily Devotion 2nd September 2026

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.
 
Reflection

There is a time for everything – but why is it so hard to recognise when it is time to do what? Why does it so often feel like the wrong time – at least for me, anyway. There are so many times when I feel stuck, or like I should be doing something else. So often – when a moment has passed – I recognise that maybe I should have done that thing, then!  But why isn’t it obvious BEFOREHAND???  Sigh!
 
But the scripture says, “there is a time for everything”. What it doesn’t specify is when that time is. So I’ve had to remind myself that just because there may have been another time – or even ‘a better time’ – to have done that thing (whatever it is), it doesn’t mean now is ‘the wrong time’. It doesn’t mean there won’t be another chance to do it. I must keep reminding myself of that – especially when sometimes it feels as though I’ve missed my moment, and there won’t be another opportunity. What I don’t always know or factor in, is whether now is a good time or ‘the right time’ for someone, or something else. Could it be that I am so caught up in focussing on my own timings, that I can’t see when I’m being lined up to fit in with someone else’s timing?
 
Just recently, there have been several occasions when I have had an idea, a thought about something in particular – but decided inside myself that I don’t have time to act on it – to see it through.  In effect, I have decided it’s not the right time.  Then, while having what I think are completely unrelated conversations elsewhere, topics and themes spring up which tie back in with the thoughts and ideas I had previously put aside. I’m coming to realise that while there is a time for everything, sometimes that time might just catch us by surprise!    
 
Prayer

Lord, why can’t you make it obvious when it is time for us to act? 
Why does it often feel so uncertain – 
or even like the wrong time? 
We can’t always see clearly when ‘the right time’ is.  
But while it is hard to wait, difficult when things don’t go to plan, 
and the unknown is scary, 
please help us to remember that there is a time for everything – 
and you will be with us in every time.  Amen.