"There is a season—turn, turn, turn

"And a time for every purpose under heaven."

I am quoting the '60s Byrds' song I still love to hear. They were, of course, also paraphrasing Ecclesiastes 3. That is the famous chapter where God through Solomon tells us the lesson of timing.

Jesus also taught a lesson in timing. Can we call it "a time to perspire and a time to be inspired"?

When the Lord walked this earth, He was often on the road and had no place to call home (see Matthew 8:20). But there was something He liked about a home in Bethany where a man named Lazarus lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Maybe Martha was a great cook. Perhaps they were wonderful hosts.

Mary and Martha were quite different from each other. It seems Mary was the quiet, contemplative type. Martha was the action-oriented, assertive type.

One day, Jesus came to their home. Martha thought it would be a good idea to make Him a meal. She went into the kitchen and started working. Meanwhile, Mary thought it would be a great opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet and hear what He had to say.

As Mary was sitting there, taking it all in, Martha was working frantically in the kitchen, growing more and more frustrated because Mary was not helping her.

Finally, she could not contain herself any longer. She came out of the kitchen, and looking down at Mary and Jesus, said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me" (Luke 10:40).

Jesus responded, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (verses 41-42).

Sometimes we can do the same thing. We can get so worked up. Like Martha, we sometimes offer activity instead of adoration, work instead of worship, and perspiration instead of inspiration.

There is a time to sit, and there is a time to move. There is nothing wrong with activity. The lesson is being thoughtful about God's presence and the opportunity for it. Think about that the next time you are tempted to miss such an opportunity.

"To everything—turn, turn, turn. There is a season..."