A time to break down, a time to build up...

This text in Ecclesiastes 3 is very meaningful to me. I have always to appreciate time. Time is money, as the saying goes. Even more than that, time is a gift from a God, a talent. Ellen White has some really great things to say on time in Christ’s Object Lessons pages 342-346. “Of no talent” she writes “He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.” (342) and a favorite of mine; “Now is the time to labor for the salvation of our fellow men.” (343)

Ecc. 3 is meaningful because it really challenges me to remember balance. I enjoyed getting a task done, but as Sister White mentioned, time is to work with God in saving our fellow men, that means time is about people, and not tasks. It’s that balance in all aspects of life that is tough. Now time really is not even built in seconds but in moments, a moment can be a split second or a whole day, I suppose. What has really been challenging me is when to know the right time to help build people up, say nothing, or to, so to speak, tear someone down. I don’t mean tear them as in criticism or mocking, but tearing down a bad behavior, confronting someone on something that bothers me. Actually the saying is not quite right for the situation because I can never rebuild anybody, that’s God’s job. But a spiritual leader with the youth, and a friend to others, when are times when I should confront someone about a behavior that they could work on. I certainly do not want to a spiritual policeman!
And yes for strangers too. The longer I am here, the more behaviors bug me. I do have to realize that I have been around a lot of caring, godly people, and maybe that has made me take too high a standard for others around me here, who have not been raised like I have. Maybe! It certainly is true. For the white people treatment, that I left behind a while ago, although there are times when I have to really pray to keep the temper down. The other day at the market, some young guys were walking by as I was eating mashed yams for lunch at a food vendor. They were saying “Hey look the white (literally “le blanc”) is eating.” They tried to get my attention by say “The White”. I finally turned to them, and said as calmly as I could that white is a color not a person, and continued eating. The people around me chuckled, and the boys laughed embarrassingly and moved on. I felt a tinge of satisfaction. Good thing those guys are the exception to the rule, and if they weren’t I would probably have not said anything, but the fact is most people do treat me nice, as not “the white”, but a visitor or a friend.
But what really irks me is when the defenseless are preyed upon, or when a harsh word is spoken. I have learned that people here never spare the rod (Proverbs 13:24), without knowing the verse, but nonetheless they certainly don’t spoil the child, unless they are rich. So though I may not feel comfortable with their many occasions to hit a child, I know that’s not my business. But when people make fun of others, chastise them wrongly, exploit, me ‘ole blood boils. I recently read “Anne Frank Remembered” by Miep Gies, the lady who hid the Frank and Van Daan families along with Dr. Dussel (I read it twice, it was highly captivating). Miep talks about how hard it was for the Dutch to hold back when so much injustice was happening, they had boiling blood and not way to pour it out, so to speak. Now I am interesting in lashing out, but some kind correction could be useful? In Pathfinders it is certainly a rule, no mean words, and in that domain, I certainly have authority to make sure that takes place. But otherwise what can I do? The other day I was a little fed up. I went and bought some sweetbread for breakfast and then stop a vendor selling corn porridge and sat down to eat my bread and porridge. Two students where eating there (I could tell because they wore their Khaki uniforms). One left and was replaced by an older gentlemen (here that means 40’s). I was happily eating and just finishing, when the student to my right asked the young girl who was helping there, to get him some water. I have also learned to ignore manners, as I found last year that in Ditimarri there is no word for please, so I let things slide (except with Pathfinders of course, those poor children, well I do try to be nice about it). Well she headed for the fried dough cakes instead, in French water and cake are end in an “o” sound, so they could be confused, especially for girl who isn’t going to school and who should be I might add (wish the dude would have thought about that). He corrected in a harsh tone that he said water. The man beside me then felt he needed to comment, and wondered out loud about the girl mixed the order up, can she not hear properly? Good thing I am a Christian! I kindly as possible said as I stood to leave, “why did you say that? We all make mistakes. Have you never gotten something mixed up?” The timing was perfect, he answered just as I leave to get on my bicycle, “Well yes, but…” I left them in the silence of their thoughts. “Well yes, but…” That statement carried so much. The man said it a tone of deep thought, like it clicked, that is was true, he had done those things. Now I have to be careful, because though I want to stand for the right, I don’t to be disrespectful of those more elderly than I, especially in the African culture. But like in this case I had the opportunity to help someone think about their actions. I also have to cautios to walk the talk! How often do I have major faults and yet seek to point out others weaknesses! Sounds familiar, the greatest teacher ever, Jesus, said it this way…
“So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 GW)
And that’s all I have to say about that.


3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecc 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecc 3:9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
Ecc 3:10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
Ecc 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecc 3:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Ecc 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.