Ecclesiastes 11 - Still pretty depressed!

So this chapter doesn't really lift your spirits either. Yet the more I read, the more I realize how much the Teacher is telling us to live in the present. Verse 9 says, "You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your hearts give you joy in the days of your youth."

One thing I have noticed in my life is that I live a lot of it in the past or fretting about the future. It is rare that I truly live in the present with God. I worry about what will happen (usually without remembering that God will be present there). I dwell on what has happened - again forgetting God's presence. How many of us truly live in the present?

What would living in the present look like? It would only be of value if I submit myself to God and simply live through and in Him. I want to see with God's eyes. I want to act out of submission to His will. I want to live in the now without worrying about what is to come because I completely trust Him and Him in me.

I guess the best word I can think of to describe living in the now is contentment. Being satisfied with what is. I know that I am not living this, but I hope to get there soon.

Things I will do to live in the present:
Visualize Christ with me in the now.
See the beauty of each moment.
Trust God's will in each event.
Seek the moving of the Spirit in all things.
Try to see with my inner eyes as much as my physical eyes.

I know this sounds a bit mystical and possibly even silly, but it is what I thought of as I read this passage.

Living in the Now,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 10

Summarizing this chapter is like herding cats! The only common theme seems to be that wise is good and fools are bad. There is a lot of common sense in this passage - sharpen the ax so you don't have to use as much effort; a fool doesn't know when to shut up; lazy work will show.

Yet as I read this, it is clear that often in this world things don't go as they should and we make stupid decisions. Solomon is trying to warn us to think first. A wise person stops and thinks before moving forward. A wise person is not afraid to give a little extra effort and stay above reproach.

While I always want some deep, spiritual truth when I read a portion of Scripture, maybe today the lesson is simple - be wise, show common sense, and work smart...in the end things will work out better for you.

Sorry I don't have anything deeper today.

Jason

Ecclesiastes 9 - Solomon is Depressing!

I was talking with a friend yesterday about Ecclesiastes and he said that it was depressing him. I agree that this could happen! You would think that the wisest man on the planet would not write such depressing stuff. Yet when you look at his life, you have to wonder how close to God he really was. As king, he basically turned Israel into the Egypt they escaped from 300 (or so) years prior. He used slave labor to build things. He took 100's of wives and concubines. He ruled with power and might. It is no wonder that when he stepped back from all he had done he was at a loss for meaning and purpose.

Chapter 9 is really says a lot about Solomon. Over and over he says that it doesn't matter if you are good or bad, honest or decietful, rich or poor, everyone dies. And after death there is nothing. These are words from a man who has lived for power, control, wealth, and ultimately trying to be God on earth rather than represent God to his people.

When you read Ecclesiastes you have to understand that this is not a book that is trying to teach us about what happens after we die. This is a book by a king who is musing on his own meaninglessness. What we learn from this book is more about the human heart than about God.

We know from Jesus and the New Testament that these musing are not the complete truth. Jesus promises us hope beyond the grave. Jesus says there is more to life than eating, drinking, and dying. Jesus says that He came to give us life and life to the full (John 10:10).

Don't read Ecclesiastes without understanding this.

There is hope. There is meaning. There is life...and His name is Jesus.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 8 - The Squeeze of Wickedness

There is much in this chapter, but I want to key in on verse 8.

"As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it."

I think this is a good principle to remember. When we start allowing small things in that are not right, we open ourselves up to being bound by evil. You never dabble in wickedness. Dabbling turns quickly into immersion.

Too often even Christ-followers think they can skirt the edges of evil without any consequences. How many public figures have we seen in recent years fall into this trap? How many untold stories are there of marriages broken, lives ruined, and families destroyed because one member of the family started dabbling in wickedness?

This verse reminded me to allow a buffer between me and wickedness. I am not strong enough on my own to resist. I need help - a community. I will be open and authentic with a few people I trust so that I can keep clear of the grasp of wickedness.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 7 - Solomon & Calvin

The King is distraught with people. He finishes this chapter with a cutting comment:

"This only have I found: God created humankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes." (7:29)

This is the cry of every staunch Calvinist! "There is none righteous, no not one" is how Paul summarizes the King in Romans. We have all messed up.

Of course the question is "were we born this way or do we become depraved?" I will admit, from my study of Scripture, I'm with the King and Paul - we are born sinners in need of salvation. No matter how wise or how smart or how rich or how able we might become in this life, ultimately, it is God's grace working in our life that saves us. We cannot ever be good enough to stand blameless before our holy God.

With this in mind, I can simply rest in God's grace and "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other." (7:14)

Are you able to admit that you aren't good enough for God to call holy, but instead you are ready to embrace His grace and allow Him to make you a new creation? Are you able to humbly acknowledge God's holiness and see our need for a mediator to reconcile our relationship with Him? I have to do this daily.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 6

If any of you know me, you know that 2 years ago my father died from Multple Sclerosis. The last decade of his life he was almost completely bed-ridden and needed help with everything. It was one of the most disheartening experiences in my life to watch him deteriorate. I would not wish that on anyone. My mom had it the worst. She cared for him in the most loving and devoted way possible - even when she knew that he could never return the favor.

I bring this up because as I read this chapter of Ecclesiastes, I recognize that I, too, have often wondered why God let my dad live (if that is what you can call that) through those years of hell. I often echoed the words of the king here:

"For who knows what is good for people in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow?" (6:12)

Many of my dad's days seemed meaningless. Yet, as I reflect back, I realize that my dad's existence - even during those days - was far from meaningless. He brought a joy to my life (and everyone else he came in conact with!) that I never would have experienced without that last decade. I came to know God in suffering as well as prosperity. I came to see God's presence in every circumstance and life. I came to see that when our meaning and significance lies outside ourselves, we can truly be conduits of God's grace no matter what our circumstances, health, or economic standing.

I found in my dying dad, life.

I hope you can find life in everyone you meet and I hope you can offer life to everyone you meet.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 5

Contentment. As I read this passage it makes me think of Paul's words in Philippians 4:12

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

The King tells us in Ecclesiastes that those who love money never have enough, those who are wealthy are never satisfied. He finally finds something good in life (v. 18) - be satisfied with what you have. When I can simply find joy in serving God wherever He puts me, I will make much progress in being content. The key is what I am working for. If I am working for wealthy and power...there will always be more to get. If I am working to glorify God, I can find joy in the smallest thing.

What am I working for? What is my goal in life. Money and wealth will disappear. I can't take it with me...just like Monopoly - when the game is over it all goes back in the box. When I define my goals, I can realize whether or not I will find joy.

Lord, show me my true motives. Show me what it is that I am truly working for. Know my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 4

More meaninglessness. But in today's reading the king seems to be alluding to a much more personal quest. He refers to seeing (not participating in) the toils of the oppressed. He saw great achievements grow only out of pride. He saw that being alone is empty. He saw that even the youth who garners great influence ends up being the old king watching a younger person see the same rise of power. Chasing after the wind...

What do I learn from these musings?

1. What am I doing to help those who are oppressed? Do I sit back and wonder about happiness or do I step in and make a difference?


2. Am I doing life alone? Even in a marriage one can be alone. Even in a family one can be alone. Am I alone or am I allowing others in?


3. Am I placing too much stock in gaining influence? Am I looking to rise to power or do I realize power comes and goes with a fickle crowd? I have not been called to power, I have been called to service. This is not a "station in life" this is a holy vocation. Am I living it out?

I realize that I need to open myself up to those around me more. As I approach a time of vulnerability (I'm having surgery Friday), will allow those around me into my world even though I am not "in power"? As I look at my own "career" as a pastor, I will relinguish my need/desire for power and influence and simply seek to be God's servant for this community.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Ecclesiastes 3 - A Time For Everything

This is a very famous chapter. It is hard to say anything new about it, but will say that the thing that stuck to me was verse 11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

I can feel the tension and angst in the writer's pen. He knows there is something bigger and more beautiful than he can comprehend, but it is just out of reach. He is almost mad at God for allowing us to know that there is more, but not letting us see it.

I know this is a frustration with me. I want to "see" eternity. It is something I know is there...it is in my heart. But I just can't grasp it.

The writer ends up saying that ultimately we just have to accept it and find contentment in working then dying.

The writer refuses to believe that there is more because he can't see it or prove it. How many people have you run into that are in a similar situation. They want there to be more, but they don't want to have faith...they want it proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

This makes me think of John 20:29. Jesus shows Thomas His wounds and Thomas believes. Jesus responds by saying:

"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

May you be one of those how have not seen, yet believed.

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Pleasure Gets You No Where

Eccl. 2
In this section of the philosopher/king's musings he talks of experiencing every kind of pleasure...accomplishment, wealth, wine & women. Yet after it was all said and done he realized that he would die just like the fool. So he became depressed because he could not control what would happen after he died. He reached the point where he realized that you can do nothing better than find satisfaction in knowing all is a gift from God, but even that is a bit meaningless.

I love the raw honesty and authenticity of the King. He tried it all. Every pleasure of life still left him wanting. I know this chapter is a bit depressing, but that is one thing I love about God and His Word - He is not afraid to deal with the reality of our human existence.

I wanted resolution in the chapter, but it was not there yet. I'm too used to a sit-com where every issue is resolved in 30 minutes and dramas where the test results come back during the commercial. Sometimes we need to be left hanging. It's good for us to wrestle for a bit.

The questions we must deal with:
Where do we find meaning in life?
Why be different if we all end up dead anyway?
Does my existence make a difference? Should it?
Is there purpose in life or does the world just keep on spinning and spinning...?

Since the text stops with questions, so will I...

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Daily Bible Reading

I have decided to start reading through Ecclesiastes beginning Feb. 1. If you want to follow along, plan on reading 1 chapter a day starting Feb. 1.

In these days of such uncertainty, I think it will be good to spend some time listening to the philosopher/king muse on how he could not find meaning in all the stuff and success of this world. I would love to hear your thoughts/comments as we go along.

Under the Mercy,
Jason