The Best and the Worst of Times

The Best and the Worst of Times

A Tale of Two Cities, published in 1859, is a historical novel by Charles Dickens, with a plot centered on the years leading up to the French Revelution.   But it’s opening sentence of Chapter One could describe this season of the year – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” For instance, it is the best of baseball season, the playoffs and World Series games are near, but the worst is that it will soon be over until Spring Training begins in February.  Also, it is the best of times for football fans, since the season has finally begun, but it is the worst if your team has already lost its chance for a perfect season. For those in school – students and teachers – it is the best of times because summer is over and classes have begun, but it is the worst of times, because summer was far too short. At church it is the best of times since summer vacations are over and members have returned to places of service, but it is the worst of times, since there are never enough people willing to serve.  What about you personally?  Is it your “best of times” or is it your “worst of times”?  The writer of Ecclesiastes says, there is “a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1).  For what purpose is your life in this season of the year?