91 illustrations referencing Ecclesiastes
We live in an instant culture, but God operates on eternal time. Isaiah's promise that 'those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength' (Isaiah 40:31) comes to those who learn to wait. This isn'...
WALL-E is the last robot on Earth, compacting trash after humanity fled. He's developed something unexpected: a personality, curiosity, loneliness. He collects treasures from the garbage. He watches o
Carl Fredricksen spent his whole life saving for an adventure with his wife Ellie—to Paradise Falls. She died before they could go. So Carl ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies there alon
In Jiro Dreams of Sushi, 85-year-old Jiro Ono has made sushi for over sixty years. His restaurant has three Michelin stars. He still wakes early, still perfects his craft, still dreams of better sushi
In Steel Magnolias, M'Lynn holds her daughter Shelby as she dies from diabetic complications. At the funeral, M'Lynn's rage explodes. Then her friends surround her—crying, laughing, holding her. At La
In the spring of 1998, Dr. Margaret Ellington stood before her last class at the University of Edinburgh. For forty-one years she had taught philosophy...
In 1973, a Swiss watchmaker named Ernst Thomann closed his shop in Lucerne for the last time. He had spent fifty-one years crafting timepieces by...
In Remember the Titans, Coach Boone forces his racially divided football team to room together, eat together, learn each other's stories. Gary and Julius—white captain and Black leader—start as enemie
In 1947, a retired cartographer named Edwin Hargreaves sat in his cluttered study in Bath, England, surrounded by forty years of hand-drawn maps. He had...
In Rush, James Hunt and Niki Lauda are rivals who despise each other—and make each other better. Hunt's recklessness pushes Lauda's precision; Lauda's discipline challenges Hunt's chaos. Neither would
In Stand By Me, four 12-year-old boys walk twenty miles to find a dead body. The journey isn't really about the body—it's about friendship forged in shared adventure. Gordie, the narrator, reflects: "
In 127 Hours, Aron Ralston is trapped alone in a canyon, arm pinned by a boulder. For five days he faces death in isolation. The film flashes to memories of community he took for granted—family, frien
We read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign orchestration of time and events in our lives. The passage's 'time for everything' underscores our belief in divine providence, where God has ordained every season for His purposes, reflecting His wisdom and timing. The rhythm of t
The illustration of the second violin in a world-class orchestra highlights the importance of trusting God's sovereignty in our lives, even when circumstances seem confusing or dissonant. Just as the violinist learns that his seemingly random notes contribute to a greater harmony, we are reminded that God has a divine plan for each of us, as affirmed in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
We read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a profound exposition of the rhythm and order God has established in creation, a rhythm that points us to both Law and Gospel. These 'times and seasons' remind us of our finitude and the futility of striving against God's ordained order, highlighting our need for a Savi
In the film *Whiplash*, we journey into the gritty world of jazz through the eyes of a young drummer named Andrew Neiman. Picture Andrew, a bespectacled dreamer, practicing in a cramped apartment, the echoes of his sticks hitting the snare...
The content emphasizes the importance of deep, transformative friendships in the Christian faith, highlighting the role of accountability and challenging conversations in spiritual growth. It illustrates how true friends contribute to each other's sanctification and provide strength in times of trial, reinforcing the biblical principle that we are called to encourage and build one another up.
We read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a profound reflection on the seasons of life, resonating deeply with our own journey through times of bondage and liberation. This passage affirms that God is sovereign over time and history, orchestrating our movement from oppression to freedom. In each 'time' mentione
In the animated film *Soul*, we meet Joe Gardner, a passionate jazz musician whose life revolves around his dream of performing on the grand stage. Picture him, hunched over his piano in a dimly lit New York apartment, the weight...
Dear Heavenly Father, As I turn my heart toward you today, I am struck by the profound truth nestled in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, where we are reminded that there is a time for everything—a time to weep and a time to...
In our ever-evolving world, the specter of corruption looms large, a shadow that stretches across every corner of society—whether it’s the headlines detailing political scandals or the whispers of ethical breaches in our workplaces. It can feel overwhelming, can’t it?...
The illustration of the second violin in an orchestra highlights the importance of trusting God's sovereignty in our lives, even when circumstances seem confusing or challenging. Just as the violinist learns that his seemingly discordant notes contribute to a greater harmony, we are reminded that God has a divine plan for each of us, as affirmed in scripture.
In the Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens tradition, we read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a profound acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over time and events within His creation. Every 'season' and 'time' mentioned here is under God's decree, part of the unfolding covenant history culminating in Christ. The pass
We read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a profound reflection on the seasons of life, emphasizing the ordained order established by God. This passage reassures us of God's providential care and sovereign timing over all creation. It reminds us that every event and action has its proper time under God's divine