Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Mystery is Our Only Hope
One of my favorite books of the bible is Ecclesiastes. I've read it about 3 or 4 times. (Maybe because it's so short! ha) But I think the main reason is because I relate to Solomon so much in this book. I find myself all of the time asking God, "Why am I here (on this earth)?". Don't get me wrong, I'm not suicidal or depressed... But sometimes I feel like everything is meaningless. What is the meaning in fitting in, being cool, or living up to people's standards and trying to please everyone? I feel like Ecclesiastes is the perfect book for a new believer in Christ. If a new believer can grasp the idea that this world has nothing to offer us, and Jesus is the only reason we live, I believe we could literally change the world. To live as Jesus lived without roaming around "chasing the wind" as Solomon put it all throughout Ecclesiastes. Ecc. 7:13-14 "Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?" 14 "Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life." So from that verse we learn that God gives and takes away, and that nothing is certain! So why do we walk through life pretending that we have it all together? Why, if God is in complete control of our lives, do we as Christians waste so much time trying to build the "American Dream"? I'll leave you with one more verse, and it's my favorite verse in the entire bible. In fact, if you have time, please read all of Ecc. 12!! But here's the verse. Ecc. 12:1 "Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, "Life is not pleasant anymore."" So, since we know God has every minute pre-ordained, lets quit chasing after things that are fleeting, and let the mystery of God be our hope.
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5 comments:
Awesome word, Zach!! And something we all need to hear--even us old people!!
Or maybe...ESPECIALLY us old people!
"5:18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."
IF we miss the sarcasm of the "meaningless" verses, we take the wrong message away! Thanks for the reminder that there are new and meaningful things out there, but only what comes from Christ!
Great insite Zach!! I too have been pondering recent events in my life asking questions, and this passage is a great reminder that God IS in control of all things.
Good word, Zach! You are very wise, grasshopper. :)
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