Every week here at Helping Up Mission we focus on a different character quality which can help in both our recovery and spiritual walk. A careful look at the 12 Steps points out that neither chemicals nor compulsive behaviors are their focus (only 2 of the 12 even reference them). Instead, the 12 Steps focus on character, which beats chemicals every time.
Recently our character quality was Cautiousness – knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions. There is a right time to do right things.
“Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” was put to music by Pete Seger in 1959 (but he did not record it until 1962). First released by the Limeliters in 1962 (just months ahead of Seger), it was also recorded by Judy Collins in 1963. But the song did not become an international hit until 1965, when released by the Byrds and reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song was adapted from the King James Version of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, almost verbatim, with the sequence of some phrases rearranged. Seeger wrote only the title phrase “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and the closing line, “a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.” That means the Byrds rendition of the song holds the record for the oldest lyrics of a #1 hit song and King Solomon should be given lyrical credit for a number one hit.
I know Solomon understood this stuff – although he did struggle practicing it. I can only hope that Seger and the Byrds did, too. But one of the great truths about life is that there is a right time to do right things.
Working at it, myself, one day at a time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director