I’ve always known the verse as “beautiful.” But this morning, reading a new translation this year, it seems “appropriate” is appropriate.

He has made everything appropriate in its time.

(Ecclesiastes 3:11a CSB)

If I had ever been an NASB reader I would have encountered this translation before, but I haven’t. For over 40 years, through four different translations, I’ve only known the Teacher’s (Eccl. 1:1) teaching as “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” And I always read it as redemptive or restorative as in, He will make everything beautiful. But a new translation causes new attention to detail and a new, more accurate, understanding, I think. For, it’s not that He will, but that He has. And in the context of the verses above it, what makes the thought even more amazing is the everything are opposite things.

There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
a time to give birth and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot.
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 CSB)

There is an occasion, or a time, for everything and thus God has made everything appropriate, or beautiful, in its time. Even opposite things. But if I’m honest with myself, often I don’t like the opposite thing so I’d prefer just the one thing.

Yet, this morning the Spirit assures me there really is a time for every activity under heaven. And not just a time, but an appropriate time, a time when even the opposite thing, under God’s sovereign leading and grace-fueled blessing, is the appropriate thing, even a beautiful thing. (Hope this is making sense?)

Who wouldn’t rather always be attending baby showers and forever avoiding funerals? But both, in its time, are eminently fitting.

Who wouldn’t prefer to always plant and build rather than uproot and tear down. But both, when the time is right, are suitable.

And that, because God has determined its time. In His sovereign purposes and according to His unfailing love God knows when “appropriate” is appropriate. And that’s what makes it beautiful.

Even weeping and not just laughing; mourning and not just dancing. Even saying, “Good-bye”, when you wish it might have been a forever, “Hello.”

Mine is to trust in the Lord with all my heart and not to rely on my own understanding. To acknowledge Him in all my ways — and at all times and in all seasons — confident that He will direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6). And when I do that, whatever the thing, it will be a beautiful thing, as He makes it the appropriate thing — in its time.

Another facet of God’s amazing grace to chew on.

Another reason to give Him all the glory.

And that’s appropriate all the time. Amen?