Finally, at last, I have been given the Canadian Visa. It is a dream come true.
It has taken me almost 4 years trying to get a visa to further my education abroad, James said. The United States, Britain and Canada have been where many friends where dreaming to travel to. A few of them had succeeded to travel to some of these Countries. James was happy his time has come. His visa applications had been refused so many times. But there is time for everything. There is time also to fail and a time to succeed.
He boarded the Swiss Air on the month of August heading for Canada. He spent a night in Zurich and continued the flight the next day. He arrived at the Toronto Air Port. The Air Port was so big that he got confused and missed the connecting flight that was to take him to Thunder Bay-Ontario. The Airport management arranged for a hotel for him to spent the night but he will have to pay for it. It was not the Airlines fault that he missed his flight. However, the next day he was able to travel to Thunder Bay Ontario. He called for a taxi when he arrived at the Airport and gave the destination: Confederation College. He arrived at the College where he was well received and was given a room to share with a roommate. He has settle down to study and everything was going fine. But the weather will start to change. When he arrived in August the temperature was nice and warm outside but it seems as if it was getting to a different season as some white stuffs were falling from the sky. He will later learn they call it, snow. He has seen on TV, heard on the radio and read on flyers, winter Jackets, shoes, on sale as the season approaches. But what is winter anyway. James did not mind that much. He thought it didn’t matter. He is a Boarding student and covers just short distances for classes.
James went out to town to visit a friend one evening in winter and stayed for long. As a result, He missed the last bus that was to take him back to Sibley Hall Residence where he lived. He had no option but to take another bus that will not take him right to Confederation College. The driver told him he was going to stop at Thunder Bay Transit – the place where all the transit buses park at the end of the day. He entered the bus anyway, hoping he could walk home from there. He only realized he had signed his own death warrant after walking for about 45 minutes. He had never walked the way home from Thunder Bay transit to Confederation College. He had always been taking the bus and thought it was a small distance to cover, as it appeared on bus. It was the month of January and this particular night in Thunder Bay was icy cold. It was getting to about 11pm. All around the James were just trees and in front of him a snow white empty road. He thought of going back but the distance he had covered was much. He was now freezing; He knew if help doesn’t come within 30 minutes he would die. He was not even dressed warm. He saw a car coming and begged for the driver to stop but he didn’t. The driver must have thought he was crazy.
He thought of a man whose body was found one morning in a street in Winnipeg, frozen to death and he shuddered with fear. He walked and stopped, wishing for a miracle. He was at his breaking point, his fingers, ears and other parts of his body were stiffening. The cold had made him to believe he must have lost his way. He stood confused; then he noticed beside him a sign that read ”Confederation College”. He would have missed it. The snow had covered everywhere and things appeared blurry. He could see the hand of the Lord here coming to his rescue even though he was not a true Christian. He followed the long road that led to the College main campus, guessing along the way as the road had many forks. Finally, he found the leading to Sibley Hall Residence where he lived. He thought that some parts of his body would have to be amputated. It was when he entered the room that his roommate (Marc Pelland) said to him that the radio had announced that the temperature outside in the open was -20 degrees Celsius.
This story deals with careless attitudes and negligence we many times experience. James made light of winter season and assume many things. We should learn to take times and seasons seriously. Fortunately, for him Grace is still available and came to his rescue.
There Is Time for Everything.
Time is the indefinite continued progress of existence and events that occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future. (Wikipedia) Time actually began “in the beginning” (Gen. 1:1), or else it would not have been “the beginning”, which is a reference of time. About one third of God’s inspired word is Prophecy, 90% of it for our times today referred to as “the end times”. Ecclesiastics the third Chapter tell us there will be good and bad times or as the philosopher puts it, “A Time For Everything“. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace – Ecclesiastics 3:1-8.
Time and season sometimes can be interchangeable – a season is a reference of time. It could reflect the time of the year. Reading the above verses of scriptures one cannot help to think that life is comprised of various seasons. It could be very cold like in the peak of winter, or very hot like in mid-summer, fresh and blossoming like in spring and moderate like in autumn. You can as well apply the tropical climate of dry and rainy seasons to life and the philosophy will be the same. King Solomon was the wisest and richest king who ever lived. At some point one can say he became pessimistic about life but why? As long as He stayed with God, he was a happy man. He could derive comfort and excitement from his wealth and wisdom but they were not the source of his happiness. This was quite evident when he departed from the Lord and started worshipping idols. Some believe he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes from the view point of a Philosopher.
The preacher in the verses of Ecclesiastes we just read says that there is time for everything in life. These reveals two basic concepts: Good and bad things happen in life because of behavior and nature. But let us not put all on fate and destiny. Common sense will tell a reasonable person when to keep quiet and when to speak. We can bring sorrow upon ourselves if we behave poorly. The godly nature in us expects us to obey nature. When we plant we must water. However, even when you forget to water the plant, rain may fall and water it. Not so? But don’t always expect nature to do your work for you. It is good to appreciate nature but not to be led by nature but by the Spirit. It is better not to count on chances but to take chances is not bad even though nothing happens by chance. Your lack of diligence could affect the growth of your plant. Therefore, if you have planted water it. Or, you can apply wisdom and plant during rainy season. There is a good chance your plant will not die. But no matter what we do, the plant will die one day. But another one too will one day shut from a stem and you will rejoice to see it bloom. God brings rain upon the just and the unjust. But that does not mean there is no difference between the just and the unjust. I am not a poet but I like poems. Life many times has been written in poetry. It can be fun in dysfunction. But it will be great if we look at it with Love.
We cannot just drink wine, dance and fold our hands saying that that which is to happen will happen. Your life can be miserable if you don’t work and depend on lottery. However, having a good job too does not guarantee that you will always laugh. The passage does not necessary suggest that our life is controlled by fate. It narrates to us the simple facts of life and at the same time displaying the fact that the universe is governed by laws. There is time to live and there is time to die but death can come naturally or forcefully. However, we have this consolation that all things work together for good to them that love God (cf. Rom 8:28) If someone was beheaded for Christ’s sake then that was His will for the person. We can never question God for His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways not our ways. There is a man called Job who thought he had wisdom to do so, but when God appeared from the whirlwind, he repented in dust and ashes. Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out if it is according to His will for you. We cannot accurately predict the outcome of any endeavor. The swift do not always have the race. Therefore, our activity in the life is meaningful when we rely on the wisdom, timing and Goodness of God. But even if you fail, don’t be discourage and think the Lord is not with you. Remember, there is a time to fail, and a time to succeed.
The preacher listed several pairs of “times”. My reminiscences about my life from past to present, takes me through many of those “times”. There are times when I did laugh and there are times I did cry. There are many times too I suffered for my own mistakes. Life is a mystery. Don’t be afraid to look inside. However, don’t use the eyes of a philosopher but put on spiritual eyes. Life can appear meaningless if one only sees it through the lens of a Philosopher but very meaningful if you see it through the Word.
Whatever led Solomon and inspired him to write logically, God allowed it to be included in the Sacred Scriptures for a reason. There is no guarantee that all of Solomon’s statements are inbreathe of God. Please read 1 Cor. 7:6-9. The Apostle Paul made it clear that what he was about to say in the verses is a concession and not a command. The book of Ecclesiastes is certainly different from any other books of the Bible and some believe it does not dwell on the covenant, the election of Israel, redemption, prophecy, sacred history, or the temple. However, the book clearly declares God’s sovereignty, power and control of the universe and that thought expressed binds it cohesively with other books in the Bible. You can find scriptures relating to times and seasons all through the Bible. Here are just a few.
Gen. 1:1; Gen. 1:14; Gen. 8:22; Gen. 3:4-5; Deut. 16:1; Job 37:6-12; Psalms 1:3; Prov. 4:1-5; 1 Chron. 12:32; Song. 2:11-13; Isa. 30:19; Jer. 5:24-25; Dan. 2:21; Dan 7:12, Hos. 10:12; Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 24:32; Matt. 24:1-3; Matt. 21:41; Matt. 24:45; Luke 18:8; Luke 2:10; Luke 23:29; Luke 23:28-33; John 3:16; Acts 1:7; Gal. 6:9; Eph. 2:4-8; 1 Thess. 5:1; 1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Titus 1:3; Heb. 4:6; 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Peter 3:20; Rev. 21:1; Rev. 10:7
Let me just go to the Jewish people during the first advent of Christ. There were many scholars, scribes and laymen also expecting the Messiah to come. Of course there were many scriptures relating to the coming of Jesus. The law and the prophets prophesied about Him. The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me. (cf. Deut. 18:15)
Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem.
See Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:4-7
Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger.
See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17
Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey.
See Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11
Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend.
See Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21
Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver.
See Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3
Messiah is to be born of a virgin.
See Isaiah 7:14; fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-2:1; Luke 1:26-35
King Herod inquired about the birth of the Messiah and the scriptures were opened for him to see but he couldn’t see. But instead he tried to killed Baby Jesus. Herod was upset and called the chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them “Where will the Messiah be born?” They told him Bethlehem had been predicted in prophecy. Herod asked the visitors to let him know exactly where the child was, so he too could worship him. But it was just a scheme to kill Him. The chief priests and teachers of the Law knew the scriptures. But did they believe it was the season for Jesus’ coming? Did they have the revelation?
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. (Matt. 16:1-4)
Jesus had read the scriptures in the Book of Isaiah 61. But just a portion of it. He was doing everything to help the people to see that the season is here. What the prophets spoke about His coming has been fulfilled. But many of the Jews where still expecting another Messiah. But the Messiah was right there with them. Prophesies of Him being fulfilled in front of their very eyes but they couldn’t see.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke. 14:21)
However, they were a few who knew it was the season of the Messiah’s first coming. Even though many left Him, some stayed with Him. When the Seventy left Jesus, He asked others if they also wanted to leave. But Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the word of eternal life.”(cf. John. 6:68) Nathaniel knew it was the season. They have found the Messiah. Nathaniel declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (cf. John. 1:43-51) But many of the Jews could not discern the signs of the times.
Like I mentioned before, Life is a mystery. Don’t be afraid to look inside – there you will see the real life. Look at what happened to the James in the story. All these happened because of gross negligence on his part. Did he not know the time the last bus was supposed to leave the terminal for the night until the next day for work to resume? If he says he did not know, it was whose fault? Of course it must be his fault. All the terminals clearly state the routes and schedules of all buses and when the first and the last bus will arrive and leave the terminals. They post this information on notice boards on the walls of the terminals. He must have definitely looked at the walls but he could not see it. There are many people today who look at the Bible but cannot see it. They cannot see there is bad spiritual weather coming and the season is here. We read in the Bible that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.
Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thess 5:1-6) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Children of the light will not be taken unawares. What kind of clothe are you wearing in this spiritual time and season? The man in the story told me he regretted it badly for not dressing properly according to weather and the winter cold almost kill him. But the four winds in Rev 7:1 will be more severe in its season than the winter. Perilous times will come. Discern the signs of the times. Time is slipping away to Eternity.
Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:1-13)
There is time for everything! We have all wept when we lost a loved one and rejoiced when a baby is born. We have planted crops and harvested. We have kept silent and opened our mouths to speak again. We have enjoyed life and disdain life. We have been through many vicissitudes of life’s seasons; the good the bad and the ugly. But this is a season we ought to be ready. The atmosphere is changing. The military wind, Religious wind, economic wind and political winds are blowing. What king of garment are you wearing? The Pandemic has shaken the world like the plague in Egypt. It is the season for the third exodus. [Rapture] The season is Here. The second coming of the Lord. It is time to make sure we have the robe of righteousness. You will not certainly find it in Zellers, Safeway or in any super market. One good thing is that you will not have to buy it. It is free. Ask the Lord Jesus. Reconcile with your neighbor, mirror your life with the word. If you fall, rise up. Let your body be a Temple of God. Pray for your enemies, and those who use you and despise you. Keep to your word. Love God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. Have you received the Holy Spirit? If not, asked the Lord Jesus. Be clothed with the Word. Remember the story of the wedding feast? The man found without the wedding garment? (cf. Matt. 22:1-14) God Help Us!
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah. 61:10) The season Is Here! This is the greatest day. Paul the apostle longed to see this day. The great men of old longed to see it. The prophets longed to see it. They looked for this day. Abraham looked for this day, for he sought for a City whose Builder and Maker was God. The season Is Here!
