Understanding the Significance of Time in God's Eternal Plan
The passage from Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end," emphasizes the intricate process of God's work across the expanse of time—from the beginning to the end. Many people, however, live unaware of this divine timeline and view time only within the confines of their brief earthly existence, from birth to death. They labour under the sun, often to no avail, chasing pursuits that ultimately result in vanity. The vast majority return to dust with no understanding of God's purpose and how He works through time. This ignorance leads them to spend their lives seeking meaning through temporary pleasures, material possessions, indulgences, or useless philosophies, rather than aligning with God's eternal will.
A wise individual, by contrast, is someone who understands the true significance of time and chooses to live in accordance with God's purpose, not setting their will against His. Romans 8:28 speaks to this, stating, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Take note that God’s timeline and intent extends beyond the fleeting details of our life, and in truth, encompasses all things—past, present, and future—working towards God's ultimate purpose. From before the foundation of the world to the death of Christ on Calvary, God has been shaping His plan for the good of those who love Him.
Paul further affirms this in Ephesians 1:11, where he writes that believers are predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will. Through time, God orchestrates all things toward a unified purpose in Jesus Christ, bringing all of history into alignment with His divine plan. Having this understanding emphasises the importance of how we should spend our time. It encourages us to live wisely, using the time we have in alignment with God's will.
