Seasons

Trivia question: What song from our popular musical heritage is entirely from the book of Ecclesiastes, except for 6 words written by the musician himself? If you guessed “Turn, Turn, Turn” you would be right! Pete Seeger wrote this hit in the 1950s. It was then popularized by the Byrds in a 1965 album of the same name. The only non-Scripture phrase which is sung is “I swear it’s not too late.”

There are a few verses from the underlying Biblical text worth considering here on the topic of grieving and the hope of heaven:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die... a time to weep, and a time to laugh... a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecc: 3:1-4)

While these words make for a good song, they make for an even better commentary on life. There is no doubt that our lives “under the sun” are incredibly complex. The various emotions and life experiences described in this passage are dizzying to comprehend, especially while undergoing them. For instance, at the time when we are celebrating the joy of new life, we don’t give a moment’s thought to the reality that this adorable baby we are embracing will die one day. Or when we weep and mourn over the loss of someone very dear to us, we cannot imagine being able to once again laugh and dance. But these are realities that are common to nearly all of us. And if you are reading these words at all, it is probably because you have entered into a season of grief.

While death, weeping, and mourning are all sad events, one day we will be able to laugh and dance again. This earth and our troubled lives are ultimately in the control of Almighty God. Though we cannot always understand what He is doing, He is ruling over all things perfectly, and He loves us.

Therefore, we can trust Him in every season of our lives. One day He will take us beyond this world of “Turn, Turn, Turn,” bringing us to an eternity of joy. Let the laughing and dancing begin even now, since God’s promises to us can never fail.