“He who observes the wind will not sow and he who regards the clouds will not reap…. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6

No Perfect Time

My family has always consulted the Farmer’s Almanac for weather predictions, planting times, seasons, moons, tides, and so forth. It’s not because we were farmers—the most we grew were a few summer vegetables, flowers along the yard borders, and a couple of sturdy, tree house-worthy grapefruit trees.

The most farm-like animal I ever owned was a goat, and I raised it in my city backyard (until it got into our tiny greenhouse and ate my mom’s prized orchids). But a person could dream of bigger things! The almanac says there is one perfect time to sow and to reap. If you do things at a certain time, it will all turn out okay. I remember feeling life wouldn’t turn out okay if I didn’t marry, or start a family, or have a career settled or my academic education completed, all by a certain age. Indeed, one could be confused about this because earlier in the book of Ecclesiastes, we are told that there is a season and a time for everything under heaven. (Note—it says “a” time, not “the perfect” or “the only” time.)

Those who plant can’t wait for the wind and clouds to be perfect, as if they could predict outcomes. Those who share the gospel can’t wait for perfect conditions—if they do, they will never sow the Word of God. This is because we don’t KNOW the perfect time. We don’t know what God will do. We can’t predict how or when or for whom He will cause His Word to prosper, to come alive.

When I read today’s verses, my mind went to practicing all manner of spiritual gifts. Specifically, if we are afraid “the time isn’t right,” or we are too young, or too inexperienced, or lacking in knowledge about the gifts, then we limit what God is doing. We are like Moses: “Not me! Use anyone but me!”

This verse says to “sow in the morning.” Although there are other interpretations, it can be applied to “use your gifts” or “invest your time, gifts, talents—whatever you have”—when you are young. The end of the verse tells us why: “For you do not know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”

We don’t actually know how things will turn out for us. We can’t predict or guarantee our future. We can’t choose what will prosper. Invest your time in others. Practice doing all God has given you to do. Don’t wait for the lightning bolt. Go with what God has inspired you to do, whether little or big, easy or hard. He is able to open and close doors as needed; He is able to enable you.

Mighty God, we pray for willing hearts that serve and give and share and practice as soon as You inspire us to do so. May we not make excuses, but go forward in faith. Amen.