“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This timeless wisdom captures a truth we often struggle to accept – life moves according to divine rhythms rather than our preferred schedules.
What strikes me about this verse is how it transforms our view of waiting. When we understand that delays and timing are part of God’s purposeful plan rather than random frustrations, we can find peace even in seasons of apparent standstill.
Think about nature’s cycles: A seed can’t be rushed to flower before its time. Winter’s dormancy is as essential as spring’s growth. Similarly, our lives have seasons of preparation, action, rest, and harvest. The Lord taught Joseph Smith this principle, declaring that all things must be done “in mine own way, and according to mine own time” (D&C 64:32).
I’ve experienced this in my own conversion journey. Looking back, I can see how the Lord prepared me through various seasons – questions that led to seeking, challenges that developed faith, and waiting periods that tested patience. What seemed like delays were actually essential preparation.
I testify that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t match our preferred schedule. When we trust that there truly is “a time to every purpose under heaven,” we can find peace in every season, knowing that the Lord orchestrates our lives with perfect wisdom and love.
Elder Linder 