In 1965, Pete Seeger was questioning his existence as a member of the Byrds rock group. After receiving a disturbing letter from his publisher, he wrote the song “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The 1960s were a time of turmoil. Social revolution, war, and indecision. People questioned their lives and realized they were not in control. Twenty-five hundred years ago, King Solomon was entering his old age and asked if life was absolute futility and if everything was futile.
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 states, “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.” Solomon wants to show that life is random and out of control and that we are fortunate to even exist in turmoil. Solomon quickly points out that it is foolish and pointless to think we can control our circumstances. But Ecclesiastes makes it a point to show that life is not futile and should be lived to the fullest.
Pete Seeger was trying to describe the natural flow of life and the fact that his generation was failing at every effort to live lives that had meaning. That government was causing war and that everything was out of control. Seeger starts by saying, “There is a season turn, turn, turn -And a time to every purpose under Heaven -A time to be born, a time to die – A time to plant, a time to reap – A time to kill, a time to heal – A time to laugh, a time to weep. Seeger then ends the song by stating, “A time to gain, a time to lose – A time to rain, a time of sow – A time for love, a time for hate – A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.” (Seeger, 1965) The song tries to describe the ebb and flow of the social fabric of the times. Just like Solomon Seeger was looking for the good life.
We have all heard that things can change in an instant. We can agree that we have little or no control over our lives and primarily operate on faith and best wishes. We want to think that change is an ongoing process that takes time to develop. Unfortunately, change is in constant motion and traveling at many different speeds. We all agree that everything is in God’s time and not ours. It may take years to develop the wrinkles on our forehead, but we can be struck down with a sickness in the blink of an eye. Humans are subject to physical and mental health issues caused by illness or injury. People living in constant fear of change are diagnosed with metathesis phobia. Many of us are diehards that resist change but realize we must accept it as a part of life. Humans are intricate breathing creatures, and constant change around and inside us causes us to change. Emotions are often reflected and can lead to many changes in our circumstances. Depending on our surroundings, we can be happy one second and sad the next. People often allow their emotions to go unchecked, which causes changes in that person and those around them.
Seeger and Solomon were describing their current lives and questioning their surroundings. Both wanted to live whole, productive, and happy lives. It is easy for us to give all our attention to being productive, prosperous, and comfortable. We often concentrate so hard on today that we forget about the life we will spend in eternity. In Ecclesiastes 3:11, Solomon talks about the eternity God has put into man’s heart and beauty. Solomon was cynical and sarcastic, but he knew there was more than the early existence. Knowing that our lives can change instantly should be a good reason to think of our plan for eternity. We do not and will not know what God has planned for us. I want to believe that God has something unique to accomplish while we are here. We do not know what that special thing is or when we will be called to perform that special event. If we were to be called home today, would we spend eternity with Jesus or find that we have missed the mark. Every day we must ask for forgiveness and be ready to be judged. Remember, John 14:6 states, “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Seeger, P. (1965). “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” [Recorded by T. Byrds]. USA.