Odedeyi Emmanuel

There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)

While I was in church last Sunday, I had a nudging to start a series on the Understanding of Times and I strongly believe God has someone in mind to further brighten our knowledge on the importance of following Divine Timing in actualizing God’s purpose for our living. For many, it is not that they do not have a purpose for living, but they lack the understanding of knowing when to launch out to start the business or register for the course or to start the relationship.

It is a known fact that a clear understanding of God’s purpose for our life is the most important discovery we could make as humans, which is why my mentor Dr Munroe says that “When purpose is not defined, abuse is inevitable”. In simple terms, we cannot avoid abnormal living if we do not have a clearly defined reason for living.
Having said this, I want to submit that while understanding of purpose is crucial, setting out for its fulfillment requires proper timing.

“WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING OF TIMES, LIFE WILL BE LIVED IN FRUSTRATION AND REDUCED TO MERE GUESSWORK”

What is Time?
Perhaps, this may be the most tasking question to ask anyone. However, I would to define simply as the occasion or duration of an event. It is said to be the appointed season for a happening or event to take place. The second scriptural passage above shows that there is time for everything. Although, God created time, He lives outside time. That is, God cannot be limited by time- the day and night that we experience. No wonder the bible says a thousand years (of humans) is like a day with the Lord. It says in another place that He neither sleeps nor slumber.

Characteristics of Time
It is impartial
It cannot be stored
It is nobody’s enemy
It can be invested or wasted or used up
It is reliable or definite or predictable
It is a measure of life
It is continuous/ does not wait or stop
It carries with it opportunities

Understanding of Times
Our entire life is measured in second, minutes, hours, days, months and years. By implication, what I do with my seconds eventually affects the years I live. Until we understand the times we are in, we will not be able to maximize our living. One of the tribes of Israel known as the tribe of Issachar, were said to understand the temper of times and knew what Israel ought to do at the right time, therefore all their brethren were at their command. Hence, those who clearly understand the times we are will take the lead.
In life, there are four seasons known as WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER and the AUTUMN. In this series, I will be taking these seasons as follows;

WINTER - PLANNING SEASON
SPRING – PLANTING or INVESTING SEASON
SUMMER – CULTIVATING or GROWING SEASON
AUTUMN – HARVEST or YIELDING SEASON

To break it down according to Dr. Dennis Watley in his book Timing is Everything, these four seasons happen does not follow a sequence but an individual may be at different seasons in varying areas of life like career, marriage, academics or relationship. What this means in simply terms is that you could have gotten married, thus being in your harvest season in your marriage and then decide to take up an additional degree from school, which means you will probably be in your planting season as regards academics. But which way it goes, Timing is crucial to its fulfillment.

WHEN A FARMER MISSES HIS PLANTING SEASON, HE WILL HAVE NOTHING TO HARVEST DURING THE HARVEST SEASON. WHAT ARE YOU PLANTING NOW?

IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING OF TIMES
To maximize the moments or opportunities that comes our way.
To be able to rise up early for the fulfillment of purpose
To help in overcoming anxiety
To give focus and direction for living
To be able to gain speed and eliminate guesswork.

In the next post, I will explain the Planning Season of our lives and what to do to take advantage of it.