All left turns
As someone who often blurs the lines between spiritual and secular, I’m a big fan of “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds. The song’s peace-anthem lyrics, which were inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, still feel relevant today.
As I was researching the penman, Pete Seeger, I noticed a comment that asked, “What’s an Ecclesiastes?”At first, that question made me chuckle. After more than 15 years of religion classes, Ecclesiastes is just as common to me as, say, Deuteronomy. But when I started thinking back over these and other Old Testament books, I also realized the truth behind the statement: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Maybe one reason the world is round is because everything really does come full circle. When Ecclesiastes was written, most of the population was working “green” jobs, such as sheep herding, fishing, farming and baking (with 100% organic ingredients). But there was another occupation that was fairly common too – which was serving in the army. And that brings us right back around to that 1965 anti-war song.
Regardless of our beliefs, life does seem cyclical, doesn’t it? That’s why I’m convinced the world (heck, the entire universe) has its own rhythm. And even though we mortals can influence it to a great extent, there must be something (or in my belief system, someone) more powerful orchestrating it all.
The thing is, I’m not sure if that realization comforts me or worries me. As a bit of a control freak, I’m much more comfortable being in charge than being at someone else’s mercy. And God knows this past decade alone has seen its fair share of blindsides.
So what’s our paradigm today, in 2009 A.D.? It certainly has shifted since the days of Solomon and even the young days of Roger McGuinn. Is it possible to have the power and wealth (and sometimes, greed) of modern times and expect the peace and quiet of simpler days? Or am I being too romantic by imagining that peace ever existed in its truest form? And that greed didn’t?
Wherever the lines are and no matter how blurred they’ve become, I have hope. I’ve seen the wonder of spring in my nieces and nephews, but I also saw my grandparents through the fall and winter of their lives. It’s those bookends – and all that lives in between – that remind me it’s all connected. We’re all really jogging on the same big track where there are plenty of turns, except ultimately they’re all in the same direction. I believe the tide will turn. In time, war will give way to peace. Tears will become laughter. Poverty will be changed into wealth. And that’s just the beginning of a brand-new upswing.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the Old Testament
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together
To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it’s not too late.
