He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
I remember when my father suddenly died of a heart attack when I was 19, I had an immediate question . . .
“So what now?” There has to be more to life? It can’t just be ‘that’s it, you’re done’? There has to be purpose to why my dad existed and why he was gone from this earth in literally a heart beat.
Which led me to believe someone else is in charge of our time on earth. Life isn’t just “create your destiny”, “think positively and your dreams would come true”. I knew moments after this tragedy that something or someone bigger than me existed and controlled the number of days, breaths, and heart beats we have on this earth.
That was the beginning of me understanding eternity. That was the beginning of me learning that God puts eternity into man’s heart-meaning God reveals in us that we will exist long after our days on this earth. We ARE eternal beings, what happens on this earth matters, we do NOT cease to exist after our last breath.
Accepting this reality, that we are eternal beings, was the first step. You see Solomon goes on to say “yet he cannot find out what God has done from beginning to end”. My commentary reads: The Preacher thus realizes that both his desire to understand all of life, as well as the limitations on his ability to do so, have been ordained by God.
I know to live with any integrity at all, I had to confess that sense of “something bigger than me” was God. And after confessing it, pursue it. But you see Solomon’s words are true, my understanding was limited. This is where we get stuck. We may sense there is a God, but because we can’t fully understand Him (or really because we don’t agree with things he’s allowed or done), we reason Him away. Romans 1 calls it “supressing the truth”.
We can’t stand the thought of swallowing our pride and admitting something bigger, something beyond my understanding, is in control. So we accept things much smaller because they make sense to us. We exchange the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25), something more convenient, something more comfortable, something we can wrap our minds around.
Friends, can I encourage you seek out the Truth about who God is? And when you don’t understand, rather than throw it all away in disbelief, humble yourself and worship a God whose “thoughts are not our thoughts, and whose ways are higher than our ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
You have heard me say “I lost and earthly father, and gained a Heavenly Father”. The LORD opened my eyes through this tragedy and beckoned me to “Come, follow Him.” However, I know many who have been through similar things and ran the other way, doubting that a good God would allow bad things, so He must not exist.
When in reality, God makes everything beautiful in its time. He uses all things for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
So rather than throw your fist up at God, harden your heart, and run the other way because you don’t understand . . . would you pursue what you know in your heart already? He was, He is, He will be forever and is waiting for you to accept the invitation to spend eternity with Him.
Showing posts with label Ecclesiastes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ecclesiastes. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Seasons
Reading through Ecclesiastes might not be the BEST thing right now, but I’m learning so much. The tone is so cynical and depressing. I’ve decided I’m going to read Philippians immediately after . . . much more joyful!
I’m taking comfort in the truth of chapter 3 today . . . seasons.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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 seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, 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 for war, and a time for peace. (v.1-8)
No trial or experience we go through is in vain. Solomon will tell us we all will die anyway, so just enjoy life now before it’s too late. While there is truth in that, there is also purpose for what we go through on this earth-the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The joy and the struggle of following Christ is learning to rely on myself less, and Him more. Surrendering my plans, my preferences, my agenda, my will . . . for His.
Forsaking man made bread to feast on Bread of Life.
Letting go of me and clinging to Him.
So there are seasons when I’m far away and seasons I draw near.
Seasons I stray and seasons I am in step.
Seasons when things are constant and seasons of change.
Seasons of pain and seasons of praise.
Seasons of wandering and seasons of living in the promised land.
Whatever season I am in doesn’t change who God is. He is still a Good Shepherd who nurtures and disciplines His sheep. He is still a loving Father who has adopted me into His kingdom and lavished His grace upon me (Ephesians 1:7-8). He is still the God who wrote Romans 8:28 “and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
So whether we’re in a season of pain or pleasure, a season we can see clearly or a season of fog, a season we are to move or a season we are to remain, we trust He is good (even when it doesn’t feel “good”) and know that He is sovereign, in control, and steady.
I can rest and be satisfied in that.
“Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)
I’m taking comfort in the truth of chapter 3 today . . . seasons.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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 seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, 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 for war, and a time for peace. (v.1-8)
No trial or experience we go through is in vain. Solomon will tell us we all will die anyway, so just enjoy life now before it’s too late. While there is truth in that, there is also purpose for what we go through on this earth-the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The joy and the struggle of following Christ is learning to rely on myself less, and Him more. Surrendering my plans, my preferences, my agenda, my will . . . for His.
Forsaking man made bread to feast on Bread of Life.
Letting go of me and clinging to Him.
So there are seasons when I’m far away and seasons I draw near.
Seasons I stray and seasons I am in step.
Seasons when things are constant and seasons of change.
Seasons of pain and seasons of praise.
Seasons of wandering and seasons of living in the promised land.
Whatever season I am in doesn’t change who God is. He is still a Good Shepherd who nurtures and disciplines His sheep. He is still a loving Father who has adopted me into His kingdom and lavished His grace upon me (Ephesians 1:7-8). He is still the God who wrote Romans 8:28 “and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
So whether we’re in a season of pain or pleasure, a season we can see clearly or a season of fog, a season we are to move or a season we are to remain, we trust He is good (even when it doesn’t feel “good”) and know that He is sovereign, in control, and steady.
I can rest and be satisfied in that.
“Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Burned Out or Moving On?
Goodness, what happened to Solomon? Wise man turned cynic? Is this even the same guy who prayed that wonderful, exemplary prayer in 1 Kings 8?
Solomon uses the phrase “All is Vanity” several times in Ecclesiastes 2.
He gives into every desire he’s ever had . . . all is vanity.
He denies himself nothing . . . all is vanity.
He lives in excess . . . all is vanity.
He gains wisdom . . . all is vanity.
He works hard . . . all is vanity.
He is saying whether we give into every desire or refrain, live in much or live in little; gain wisdom or folly; live in darkness or light; hardworking or lazy; we all die anyway . . . it’s all in vain! So we might as well eat and drink and find enjoyment in our toil (v.2:24) since it all ends the same for us.
Can you hear the despair? Cynicsm? Skepticism? Hopelessness? What has happened to Solomon? When we lose our focus on God, we lose our perseverance, our understanding, our hope. Even now as I’m writing this I am overwhelmed with the realization that is just might be what happened to me. Not in life, but in my career as a teacher.
I started out ready to change the world my first year of teaching. So excited and bright eyed, I was going to be a revolutionary. As each year went on, I lost focus and felt like I was sucked into believing that it was “just too hard”. I began thinking that no matter what I did as a teacher, “all was vanity”-it didn’t matter. The kids would learn what they’d learn, it really wasn’t up to me. Like Solomon said, to “gain wisdom is better than folly” (v.2:13), but it didn’t matter anyway.
Since opening up 1 Kings months ago, I have just been obsessed with Solomon’s life. He was the wisest man to ever live, his prayer in 1 Kings 8 was amazing, he wrote books in the Bible . . . and died a cynic far from God. He started out in a sprint for God and burned out.
I just keep thinking, I don’t want to end up like Solomon. I don’t want to start well and end bad.
I look at my career and realize that already kind of happened. I lost my vision. I lost my passion. I lost focus. I lost hope . . . and I turned cynical. And now I’m cleaning through all the things I’ve collected over my short 5 years as a teacher, remembering how I used to love it, how I was so innovative and hopeful. And I’m wondering . . . how did I get here? Is this really over? Did I really come this far? Has my heart really turned this much?
I also keep thinking about how David wanted to build the temple for God (2 Samuel 7-see blog Broken Dreams). He was so passionate and excited and the LORD told him “David you did well that it was in your heart . . . but it is not you who shall build the house . . . (2 Chronicles 6:8). David had the desire to serve the LORD in this way, but it was just that . . . his desire, not the LORD’s. Good that it was in his heart, it just wasn't his work to be done.
I keep thinking of these two men, these stories, and wondering which one am I?
I’m trying to discern if I am believing the lie “all is vanity” and turning cynical or if it was well that it was in my heart to be a teacher, it’s just not God’s plan for me.
Am I losing hope or moving on? Cynical or obedient? Ending terribly or pursuing the LORD? Solomon or David?
If am completely honest, I am relating far too much to Solomon’s life story right now. I see a man who started with so much potential and slowly over his life compromised and ended far from the LORD. I am shaking, trembling, praying that is NOT me.
Now leaving the classroom to work for the church, oh this is even more terrifying. It is not longer “just a job”, but literally, kingdom work. It’s not about career, but about eternity. I hope I finish well, in pursuit after Christ, with my mind set on heavenly things, running with endurance, eyes set on the prize.
Solomon uses the phrase “All is Vanity” several times in Ecclesiastes 2.
He gives into every desire he’s ever had . . . all is vanity.
He denies himself nothing . . . all is vanity.
He lives in excess . . . all is vanity.
He gains wisdom . . . all is vanity.
He works hard . . . all is vanity.
He is saying whether we give into every desire or refrain, live in much or live in little; gain wisdom or folly; live in darkness or light; hardworking or lazy; we all die anyway . . . it’s all in vain! So we might as well eat and drink and find enjoyment in our toil (v.2:24) since it all ends the same for us.
Can you hear the despair? Cynicsm? Skepticism? Hopelessness? What has happened to Solomon? When we lose our focus on God, we lose our perseverance, our understanding, our hope. Even now as I’m writing this I am overwhelmed with the realization that is just might be what happened to me. Not in life, but in my career as a teacher.
I started out ready to change the world my first year of teaching. So excited and bright eyed, I was going to be a revolutionary. As each year went on, I lost focus and felt like I was sucked into believing that it was “just too hard”. I began thinking that no matter what I did as a teacher, “all was vanity”-it didn’t matter. The kids would learn what they’d learn, it really wasn’t up to me. Like Solomon said, to “gain wisdom is better than folly” (v.2:13), but it didn’t matter anyway.
Since opening up 1 Kings months ago, I have just been obsessed with Solomon’s life. He was the wisest man to ever live, his prayer in 1 Kings 8 was amazing, he wrote books in the Bible . . . and died a cynic far from God. He started out in a sprint for God and burned out.
I just keep thinking, I don’t want to end up like Solomon. I don’t want to start well and end bad.
I look at my career and realize that already kind of happened. I lost my vision. I lost my passion. I lost focus. I lost hope . . . and I turned cynical. And now I’m cleaning through all the things I’ve collected over my short 5 years as a teacher, remembering how I used to love it, how I was so innovative and hopeful. And I’m wondering . . . how did I get here? Is this really over? Did I really come this far? Has my heart really turned this much?
I also keep thinking about how David wanted to build the temple for God (2 Samuel 7-see blog Broken Dreams). He was so passionate and excited and the LORD told him “David you did well that it was in your heart . . . but it is not you who shall build the house . . . (2 Chronicles 6:8). David had the desire to serve the LORD in this way, but it was just that . . . his desire, not the LORD’s. Good that it was in his heart, it just wasn't his work to be done.
I keep thinking of these two men, these stories, and wondering which one am I?
I’m trying to discern if I am believing the lie “all is vanity” and turning cynical or if it was well that it was in my heart to be a teacher, it’s just not God’s plan for me.
Am I losing hope or moving on? Cynical or obedient? Ending terribly or pursuing the LORD? Solomon or David?
If am completely honest, I am relating far too much to Solomon’s life story right now. I see a man who started with so much potential and slowly over his life compromised and ended far from the LORD. I am shaking, trembling, praying that is NOT me.
Now leaving the classroom to work for the church, oh this is even more terrifying. It is not longer “just a job”, but literally, kingdom work. It’s not about career, but about eternity. I hope I finish well, in pursuit after Christ, with my mind set on heavenly things, running with endurance, eyes set on the prize.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Indulgence or Purpose
In Ecclesiastes 2, the author (presumably Solomon) says self indulgence is like chasing after wind.
“And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)
Remember Solomon? Son of David, wisest man that ever lived, King of Israel, built the temple, rich, 700 wives, 300 concubines . . . if anyone gave into desires of his own heart, experienced self indulgence to the fullest, wouldn’t it be Solomon? He gave into every desire and pleasure he had. I trust his experience and reflection here! He says there’s nothing to be gained from this type of life style, it’s all vanity.
So why do we believe that lie from that Carl’s Jr. commercial? “If it feels good, do it. If it tastes good, eat it.” Here Solomon is teaching us that these things leave us empty, chasing after wind.
So why do we believe the lie to “follow our hearts”, “do what makes you happy”, etc? WHY? Time after time we see in scripture, and quite honestly in our own lives, that these things never satisfy. They leave us feeling empty . . . yet we don’t learn. We keep chasing after wind.
I don’t want to live my life in vain . . . I want to live with purpose. I want to live and be satisfied, not indulge and be left empty.
Satisfied BY Him and IN Him alone.
“Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 8:35)
“And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)
Remember Solomon? Son of David, wisest man that ever lived, King of Israel, built the temple, rich, 700 wives, 300 concubines . . . if anyone gave into desires of his own heart, experienced self indulgence to the fullest, wouldn’t it be Solomon? He gave into every desire and pleasure he had. I trust his experience and reflection here! He says there’s nothing to be gained from this type of life style, it’s all vanity.
So why do we believe that lie from that Carl’s Jr. commercial? “If it feels good, do it. If it tastes good, eat it.” Here Solomon is teaching us that these things leave us empty, chasing after wind.
So why do we believe the lie to “follow our hearts”, “do what makes you happy”, etc? WHY? Time after time we see in scripture, and quite honestly in our own lives, that these things never satisfy. They leave us feeling empty . . . yet we don’t learn. We keep chasing after wind.
I don’t want to live my life in vain . . . I want to live with purpose. I want to live and be satisfied, not indulge and be left empty.
Satisfied BY Him and IN Him alone.
“Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 8:35)
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