Post by Richard on Mar 13, 2007 16:07:26 GMT -5
CHASING THE WIND
_________________________
Ecclesiastes 1:12-17 (NRSV)
I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.
I said to myself, "I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind.
_________________________
Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NRSV)
_________________________
I remember chasing the wind when I was a young boy on a school playground. A whirlwind carrying dry leaves would occasionally swirl through. All the children would try to get in the path of the fast-moving whirlwind, as if to catch it. Of course, the wind always slipped through our grasp.
Solomon talked about chasing the wind. In search of a purposeful existence, he experimented with wisdom (Eccles. 1:17), pleasure (2:10), achievement (4:4), wealth (5:10), and satisfying his desire (6:9). After much deliberation, he concluded that what really matters is that we "fear God and keep his commandments."
I too found myself chasing after the wind pursuing things that are ultimately meaningless - career advancement, wealth, and recognition. Reading Ecclesiastes prompted me to realize that these are temporary and of little value compared to my relationship with God, leading others to Christ, and Christian service.
Solomon's words are relevant for all of us today. They challenge us to examine our priorities, for only those accomplishments consistent with God's will are truly meaningful.
Prayer: Lord, help us seek to do your will today, that our actions may be lasting and meaningful. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How am I investing myself in what is eternal?
-- Terry Thomas Bowman (North Carolina, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who "chase the wind"
_________________________
Ecclesiastes 1:12-17 (NRSV)
I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.
I said to myself, "I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a chasing after wind.
_________________________
Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NRSV)
_________________________
I remember chasing the wind when I was a young boy on a school playground. A whirlwind carrying dry leaves would occasionally swirl through. All the children would try to get in the path of the fast-moving whirlwind, as if to catch it. Of course, the wind always slipped through our grasp.
Solomon talked about chasing the wind. In search of a purposeful existence, he experimented with wisdom (Eccles. 1:17), pleasure (2:10), achievement (4:4), wealth (5:10), and satisfying his desire (6:9). After much deliberation, he concluded that what really matters is that we "fear God and keep his commandments."
I too found myself chasing after the wind pursuing things that are ultimately meaningless - career advancement, wealth, and recognition. Reading Ecclesiastes prompted me to realize that these are temporary and of little value compared to my relationship with God, leading others to Christ, and Christian service.
Solomon's words are relevant for all of us today. They challenge us to examine our priorities, for only those accomplishments consistent with God's will are truly meaningful.
Prayer: Lord, help us seek to do your will today, that our actions may be lasting and meaningful. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
How am I investing myself in what is eternal?
-- Terry Thomas Bowman (North Carolina, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who "chase the wind"