Eccl 9:3 - Any wonder people go crazy right and left...life leads to death. The Quester purges all pleasures, "legitimate and illegitimate, moral and immoral---they won't bring more than temporary relief to your empty soul...more will not fill the emptiness in your heart." Yet we keep striving for the wind. I have nowhere else to turn for the "satisfaction of my soul's desire but Him...not to music, not to prayer, not to friends, not to church." It's an alone moment facing that.
Eccl 12: 13-14 - There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.
So where am I today? Am I trying to be understood? Am I trying to connect? A friend told me last summer that there is a hole in my heart. What will fill that hole?
Made it to Florida but my computer is packed in the trunk. Will post tomorrow. Drove 550 miles to get here with 3 little kids. Their dad had to stay in hospital in Shreveport. sent from my phone
ReplyDeleteBev, you amaze me more and more every day! Thank you for your obedience and dedication to this beautiful "String of Pearls".
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I spend too much time thinking I might be easily forgotten when my life is over. I would love to be remembered as someone who "seized the day"!
" Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted."
Maybe it's just when I'm out here with satellite internet, but I lose comments and repost, then come back later to find all of them posted. I really don't think what I have to say means that much. I just am impetuous like that. All this to say--I REALLY hope this doesn't post twice, but I'm going to try again:
ReplyDeleteThe Quest and the Quester wrap up Ecclesiastes with a depressing conclusion--it's all smoke or vanity or emptiness. So many live their lives in pursuit of material dreams and, if the "arrive", are totally blown away by their hollow success and lack of joy. God saw our dilemma and answered us. We have a hole in our heart that longs for eternity, longs for purpose. So God sent meaning and redemption and hope to us in the miraculous form of a Christ baby. Love and purpose and meaning are exclusive to the Christian life. I'm so thankful that my God tells me there's more than trying to follow a code of life, more than lots of failures that end in dust. By the time we get to the New Testament, I am always SO VERY READY for the Good News. Joy cometh. Hang on.
Bev, Hello from Tenn!! So glad you made it to Florida safely and sanely. You were in my prayers yesterday as you traveled. And, I am with Ang in agreeing that you amaze me too. Your dedication to our journey is incredible, and I am honored to be journeying along with everyone.
ReplyDeleteTo Wrap up our time in Ecclesiastes I am reminded that our single purpose as God's creation is to KNOW HIM. Throughout this book, Solomon was looking for purpose, meaning, satisfaction, and fulfillment in this life.
Yet, as the book closes Solomon reminds us of the following:
-that our purpose is to KNOW God,
-if we want to enjoy our lives we must obey God's commandments,
- and to maintain a positive attitude we must keep our faith strong in the Lord.
Ladies, I hope you have a great week. See you in Song of Songs tomorrow.
Lots of Love, Kim
Chapter 12 gave me much needed perspective on my current child-rearing struggles. This too shall pass, way too quickly, and I'll wonder where the days went when my girls were small.
ReplyDeleteRight now, my patience is wearing thin with an ornery two-year-old. I'm trying to adjust to this new little personality that used to be sweet and obedient...grrr.
Seemingly simple instructions from Solomon:
Fear God.
Do what he tells you.
And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out in the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
Oh, Cici! I can sure understand how difficult it is dealing with a little being :)
ReplyDeleteMy first daughter tried every ounce of my patience. I can honestly say that the first time I heard God "speak" to me was when I was at the end of my rope trying to potty-train this very strong-willed toddler.
God spoke three words:
"Just love her."
And, you know what, that was exactly what I needed to hear at that time. I was so caught up in the battle over her will over my will that I was losing sight of the most important thing.
I stopped letting her ignite me. I patiently loved her through the potty training stand-off. And within just a few days...she was potty trained!
I don't know why that was so much of a control issue for her, but it was. When I stopped fighting her and just let her have her space and timing, we did so much better.
I let those words from God guide me through her years and even though things have been really hard between us, I know she knows I love her.
She taught me a lot about humbleness...
Day 1 at the beach...not quite as hoped. Shelby is still in the hospital in Shreveport...just pray for us.
ReplyDeleteBev, waiting patiently for your thoughts! You are unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteAng, when you were away for a while here, I missed you. I loved to open up this blog and read your post so very early in the morning! And you are not easily forgotten by me! You are a P.E.A.R.L.
Annette, don't worry about the automatic triplicates you post. I need to see your thoughts over and over. And I am so glad you come back and repost when blogger eats your thoughts! I think about GRACE when I read your posts...and boy, but we need more of that!
Sylvia! I miss you. I know you are in the middle of a crisis, but your posts always brighten my day. They are so unique and harmonius.
Kim, I love that song! Do you remember singing that old hymn...The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence? I get chills now just thinking about singing that one in church with the whole congregation.
In the presence of God, we will surely be speechless!
Thanking the Spirit today for every pearl that visits here and comments. God works so differently in each of our lives and He purposed us to be unique and special in His Story.
Eccl. 12:13
ReplyDeleteThe Final Word
"Fear God. Do what he tells you."
Can it get any better than this wisdom summed up in a nutshell?
Solomon just kills me! Smoke, it's all smoke. His thoughts about advice for the young and then the wisdom of his description of old age...so to the point!
I don't really like how he speaks like things are pointless...because I know God sees. And that makes me want to do right. But this is our only opportunity to make an impact for God...this thing called life. It is miraculous and only God gives meaning to our existence. It is His Work in us that brings reward.
Ready for Song of Songs...I think. I thought I knew Proverbs, but I really didn't. Up for the challenge from Dr. Crabb.
Bev, Shelby is in my prayers. Heal quickly, Lord. In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
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