HOW, IN THIS HELTER SKELTER WORLD, ARE WE TO MAKE SENSE OF LIFE AND HOW IT IS TO BE LIVED

"THE FACTS OF THE MATTER"

"A weekly letter of encouragement to business and professional men and women"

June 30, 2010

Good Morning!

HOW, IN THIS HELTER SKELTER WORLD, ARE WE TO MAKE SENSE OF LIFE AND HOW IT IS TO BE LIVED?

 

In Ecclesiastes,  chapter 3, wise old Solomon offers us a few clues:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”  (Eccl 3:1)  (See Eccl 3:17; 7:140

Therefore, take a deep breath and slow the pace.  Sense God’s timing and then move with it.  When we rush, we usually error and miss it.

 
“A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,  a time to kill and a time to heal,  a time to tear down and a time to build,  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,  a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,  a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”  (Eccl 3:2-8)  (See Job 14:5,14)

Therefore, learn to flex with the ying and yang of life.  Life is not a formula to be endured, but an adventure to be celebrated.

 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”  (Eccl 3:11a)  (See Gen. 1:31; Deut 32:4; Eccl 7:29; Mark 7:37)

Therefore, take the long view. God, on His timetable is producing something majestic and eternal. Few things in life of enduring beauty are born without time and pain.

 
“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men. Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  (Eccl 3:11b)  (See Deut. 29:29; Job 11:6,7; John 15:15; Acts 1:7; Rom. 1:19,20; 11:33, 34; 1 Cor. 2:16)

Therefore, respond to the pull of God on your heart for things eternal.  Rest your unknown future in His hands, trusting that He is mysteriously working His eternal wonder for His glory and your future.  How boring life would be if we understood it all!

 

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.”  (Eccl 3:12,13)  (See Eccl 2:24; 5:18-20; 9:7)

Therefore, commemorate life!  Live it to the fullest!  Embrace your work as a sacred gift from God.

 
“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him.”  (Eccl 3:14)  (See Psa 33:11; 119:90, 91; Isa. 46:10; Dan. 4:34, 35; Eph 3:9-11)

Therefore, recognize that God has everything covered, choreographed and on time.  He’s not in heaven wringing His hands, anxiously worried that something might slip through the cracks.  Understand that His eternal work is about His glory, not ours.

 

“God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked…”  (Eccl 3:17b)  (See Psa 98:9; Eccl 12:14; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; John 5:22, 26-29; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:5-9; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thes 1:6-10; Rev. 20:11-15)

 
Therefore, live life with a clear understanding that God will call you to account.

This week may you experience His grace, peace and protection!

R. Dwight Hill