Though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him . . .
there is a proper time and procedure for every matter . . .
and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.*
Those are three phrases from Ecclesiastes cited in reverse order. It makes sense either way, but this seems the better procedure.
Here’s the meaning: Sometimes we’ve got such challenges that discouragement sets in. We wonder if there even IS an answer. But there is. It’s all about a time and order . . . and wisdom will find the way.
When something isn’t working it’s basically a wisdom lack. Wisdom is a multi-faceted word. Here the context defines its use: The knowledge of the best time and procedure for any situation.
Timing is everything. The right approach at the wrong time won’t work.
Procedure is everything. The right steps in the wrong order won’t work.
It’s true with simple things and just as true with complex things. The complex ones might take longer . . . or require more of the “W” word.
There’s always an answer. If we haven’t got it figured out yet, it’s not ITS fault. Eschew the heavy heart, instead seek wisdom . . . like a set of lost keys . . . without them you won’t go anywhere.
The solution has to be at the right time. When it is, put first things first, last things last, and everything else correctly ordered in between.
Not that it’s always so easy. Not at all. If it was, where would be the challenge? Why bother to work, to study, to practice, to get help? These are the things that fill our days, and nights.
The easy things bring small reward, the hard ones large. The really big ones require huge pyramids of time and procedure, but don’t lose heart; there is an answer. It’s a promise.
Remind me next time you see me stumped.
_________________________
*Ecclesiastes 8:5,6
Next: Moderately Awesome. Coming Wednesday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:09 am
A wise sentiment indeed….
My Dad always told me that life was all about being prepared and being patient. You prepare yourself so that when the timing is right, and the door opens for you, you are ready to walk through it.
How often has that door opened, and we were ill prepared to handle it? (I think of lottery winners who squander their good fortune, or young talents – in anything- that are not prepared to handle the success that follows).
Preperation.
How often have we worked and sacrificed honing a skill or practicing a craft waiting for the opening, the chance, to really break out?
Patience.
Lovely Hyatt. Thank you for a moment to remember my very wise Dad and also to remind myself to prepare and be patient.
Steph
11:13 am
Encouraged!
11:16 am
I remember well my own sons facing challenges in younger years which I could have easily solved for them. And I’m sure they’d have taken all the credit, too! As I became a wiser dad, I would purposefully withdraw my hand and allow a challenge to be catalyzed. And that’s where the fun would begin. It required them to seek me out, to search for the answers, to interact with me for assistance. I knew the end from the beginning, that wasn’t the issue. It was the stuff in between that mattered. Your timing/procedure thought fits right in. Bottom line… if they got me, they got wisdom. Is it not so similar with our challenges, and God?
2:02 pm
always enjoy your wisdom!!!!