November 19, 2013
Life is hard, and then you die. Depressing thoughts, aren't they? But, that's exactly the way life is aside of our Creator.
"All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living? What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 6.7-9)
King Solomon conducted an "experiment" to try and determine life's meaning and purpose: "I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.' " (Ecclesiastes 2.1) Of all that he tried, his conclusion was the same: "and behold, it too was futility." (i.e., Ecclesiastes 2.1). Life is full of inconsistency and inequality. Removing our Creator from the picture always leads to a cynical and pessimistic view of life.
You and I daily encounter people who have done as Solomon did in his "experiment" - they only view that which appears visible in life. They see a wounded world, and fail to see it as it once was - and will again be one day. The world between Eden and the kingdom is one of shattered hopes and dreams, but thankfully is only a transition from perfection past to perfection to come. Unless it is viewed with eyes of faith and hope, it will indeed leave us declaring with Solomon, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1.2)
As people of faith and hope, our perspective must be that of Abraham, our father in the faith: "By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11.9-10) We are pilgrims on a journey toward the coming kingdom. Often the journey is difficult, and even heart-breaking, but it IS a journey - not the destination. One day - in a sudden glorious moment - God's kingdom will break through the brokenness of this age, and overshadow the earth with life and vitality such as has never been seen. This is the ultimate reality that causes us to live in hope, rather than despair.
Lift up your eyes, fellow pilgrim. We are on a difficult journey, but we see the destination beyond that beckons us. God's kingdom is just around the corner.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
"All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living? What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 6.7-9)
King Solomon conducted an "experiment" to try and determine life's meaning and purpose: "I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.' " (Ecclesiastes 2.1) Of all that he tried, his conclusion was the same: "and behold, it too was futility." (i.e., Ecclesiastes 2.1). Life is full of inconsistency and inequality. Removing our Creator from the picture always leads to a cynical and pessimistic view of life.
You and I daily encounter people who have done as Solomon did in his "experiment" - they only view that which appears visible in life. They see a wounded world, and fail to see it as it once was - and will again be one day. The world between Eden and the kingdom is one of shattered hopes and dreams, but thankfully is only a transition from perfection past to perfection to come. Unless it is viewed with eyes of faith and hope, it will indeed leave us declaring with Solomon, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1.2)
As people of faith and hope, our perspective must be that of Abraham, our father in the faith: "By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11.9-10) We are pilgrims on a journey toward the coming kingdom. Often the journey is difficult, and even heart-breaking, but it IS a journey - not the destination. One day - in a sudden glorious moment - God's kingdom will break through the brokenness of this age, and overshadow the earth with life and vitality such as has never been seen. This is the ultimate reality that causes us to live in hope, rather than despair.
Lift up your eyes, fellow pilgrim. We are on a difficult journey, but we see the destination beyond that beckons us. God's kingdom is just around the corner.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
posted by steve @ 7:03 AM
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