There is a Time to be Born and a Time to Die
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). The sobering words of this passage emphasize that we did not choose the time when we were born, nor do we have the power to choose the time we will die. While it is true there are some who may choose to end their lives by suicide, generally speaking, we do not have the power to choose when we will die.
There are, however, some things we can know about death. This passage emphasizes that death is a one-time experience. Many affairs of this world are set up on a cycle.
For example, the process of sowing and reaping is seasonal. There is “a time to plant; and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:2b). On the other hand, death does not come in cycles, but one time only. We were born once. We will die once. This shows the great importance of living for the Lord while we have time and opportunity. If we were promised a second chance, there might be the temptation to procrastinate in living the Christian life. But there is no second chance. If one dies in a lost condition, he will be lost forever.
A second thing we learn from this text is that “time” is the thing that will bring us to the door of death. Every day the clock is ticking, and with each tick of the clock we are getting closer to death. That is not pessimistic or morbid; that is the plain truth. Time rolls on, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. When it is time for us to die, there will be nothing we can do to prevent it. We were born when it was time, and we will die when it is time. The Bible says, “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass” (Job 14:5). This means that when our time on earth has expired, we will leave this world. Since you have been reading this article, time has passed that cannot be reclaimed. Every heartbeat leads us closer to eternity.
The good news for the saved is that death is the beginning of a new life. When you notice another wrinkle or more gray hair; when your footsteps move slowly and you cannot hear as well as you once did, thank God. Thank Him for the promise that you will soon move out of this fleshly tabernacle we call the body, and will move into a mansion!
If today were your last day, would you be ready? Live each day as if it were your last…it may be.
