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Listen while you read: "Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart"1
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,10-11,14 – For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted. I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it; God has done this so that all should stand in awe before him. (NRSV)
My friend and I had a ritual when I went to visit. Since she had severe arthritis in her hands, I would always wind her grandmother clock — which was shorter than a longcase grandfather clock. It was one of those thirty-day clocks, and sometimes when I would visit, she would laugh and say that she only had a day left … on her clock, that is. And so, I would wind and wind and wind, and the clock was good for another thirty days. That sound resonated with me as the swinging pendulum repeated the message over and over and over … tick tock.
I went to see her when she entered the hospital. She smiled her radiant smile, and we talked for a moment. I quietly said that I wouldn't be able to wind her clock on this visit. Within an hour, she took a turn for the worse. She had used up her strength, and the energy was gone, the spring slack. Time stops, life ends, and Jessie is gone. Tick … .
"For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NRSV) And the clock ceases to tick and life is over. This is the time that we are accustomed to, and when this time runs out, the world says, "It is finished." When the world says that it's finished, it really means that it is over and done and gone.
But there is another sound that overwhelms that of the clock. It is the sound of eternity. Sometimes in life, the "tick tock" seems to drown it out, but it is there, and there are times when it is ever so clear and concise. The time that we keep here on earth makes a lot of noise … tick tock. But what awaits those who trust that Jesus has gone on ahead to prepare a place for us resonates to the silent wonder of love … God's time … eternity.
My friend's grandmother clock hangs above our mantle, a gift from a grateful family. It is silent now, but still ever so meaningful.
This day, I wish for you a time and place where the tick tock is muted and the sound of eternity resonates through you, here and now.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be still and listen for the sound of eternity. Amen.
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About the author:
Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
Send your feedback to the author
Many thanks for sharing this heartfelt message. Blessings.
Tick is now – living and Tok is eternity with our Heavenly Father.
Kenn, thanks for the words of encouragement. Our hope is secure.
Thank you for your message. My husband died on this date.
Thanks Kenn. Nice piece of writing.
(Ontario)
Well done, Kenn. Thanks for a meaningful word today.
Blessings.
Hi Kenneth
Your devotional this morning resonates with me. Thank you.
Kenn – this devotional is beautifully phrased and draws me into God’s loving embrace.
Thank you.
This is a beautiful piece of writing, Kenn, and so meaningful. It has touched my heart, as I’m sure it will do so for many readers.
Thanks for this mindful and encouraging devotional this morning Kenn. Yes, we really must resonate on eternity. Blessings for your writings.
What an interesting illustration and application, Kenn. We need to think less about the tic-tic of our busy days and more often about eternity!
Thanks, Kenn. I just lost a dear friend whose clock ceased to tick. But she was a blessing to many in our community and I’m sure she is with Jesus.
Good morning Kenn.
Thank you, this was beautiful and heartwarming.
God bless.
Thanks Kenn, a beautiful prayer and interesting post! I have two antique clocks which my husband winds up and they chime often…A great time to remember Ecclesiastics. God bless!
Thanks, Kenn.
Jim enjoyed his collection of clocks and most of them are silent now that eternity has begun for him.
Dear Kenn, Thank you for a wonderful story. I really enjoyed reading a different way of sharing faith with your friend. The ticking of my mantle clock will always remind me of your friend’s. So happy you received it as a gift. How thoughtful of the family.
While recently reflecting on how we tend to focus on our daily “wants ” and “needs” the thought came to me that “It’s one thing to acquire life insurance, it’s another thing to acquire eternal life assurance”.
Your message today was an endorsement of that thought.
Blessing to you and yours.
Kenn,
Thanks for a masterfully written devotional. It evokes contemplation such as Shelley’s Ozymandias, Longfellow’s A Psalm of Life and Jesus’ parables– Fool! this night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?
Good morning Kenn,
Your devotional this morning is so very well written! While we do not have a grandfather or grandmother clock…we have seven or eight clocks that need to be wound. Now every time I wind them, I will think of this devotional.
Thank you.
(Texas)
Kenn,
Your words painted a wonderful truth about our measured time versus God’s timeless eternity.
We’ve had the same kind of discussion now that my husband has a pacemaker to stimulate his heartbeat should it need a little kick start. God alone will decide the final beat when earthly heart beats are no longer necessary and eternal life takes over.
Thank you, Kenn.
Good morning Kenn,
What a beautiful story of your friendship and her grandmother clock. We have a similar clock which my husband winds faithfully once a month. It was a gift from. It has fond memories for us also.
I join in your wish for you. “This day, I wish for you a time and place where the tick tock is muted and the sound of eternity resonates through you, here and now.” A beautiful wish. Your devotional has a very important message for all. A Bible verse I use often is “Be still and know that I am God.” It helps me always.
Thanks for sharing a part of your faith to encourage all. Blessings.
A very pertinent devotional full of the real meaning of time passing by every second until we hopefully can enjoy eternity. Thanks.
Hello Kenn,
Thank you for sharing your story “the sound of eternity” in the PresbyCan Daily Devotional. Wow! An incredible way to tell your story. The message ran deep in me. Thank you.
I couldn’t help but think about how beautifully written this is. You are a good storyteller and I’m saving this devotional.
Thank you so much for sharing.
(ON)
Thoughtful.
Thank you.