Ecclesiastes 9:11
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
I quite like the verses of Ecclesiastes because they have a strange but profound way of saying that almost everything we do to gain in life on earth is in vain. It's also kinda bleak to read it all if you are a competitive person in this competitive nation who is striving to achieve your excellence before man. Ecclesiastes does seem to encourage us to be resigned as slackers in life - don't vie, don't try so hard, after all everying is vanity. Someday, we'll die and won't be able to bring with us any of the accolades that life's glory bring or the richness of wealth that we accumulate and store up.
However, the very finite reality which Solomon talks about is a very important key fact for us to know and believe. It's to keep us grounded in the striving for better grades, more money or larger pay increaments. We should not need the death of a close one for us to be brought down to the reality of our life being a passing, fleeting moment.
God’s Word tells us that being faster, stronger and wiser does not automatically make you a success in life. Only God can put you at the right place at the right time. It should also remind us that our life is not made up of our own achievements but are of the blessings which God decrees on us.
May you be reminded of the need to not strive too hard, because God is with us.
blessings,
M
"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
25 October 2007
Life happens.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
I quite like the verses of Ecclesiastes because they have a strange but profound way of saying that almost everything we do to gain in life on earth is in vain. It's also kinda bleak to read it all if you are a competitive person in this competitive nation who is striving to achieve your excellence before man. Ecclesiastes does seem to encourage us to be resigned as slackers in life - don't vie, don't try so hard, after all everying is vanity. Someday, we'll die and won't be able to bring with us any of the accolades that life's glory bring or the richness of wealth that we accumulate and store up.
However, the very finite reality which Solomon talks about is a very important key fact for us to know and believe. It's to keep us grounded in the striving for better grades, more money or larger pay increaments. We should not need the death of a close one for us to be brought down to the reality of our life being a passing, fleeting moment.
God’s Word tells us that being faster, stronger and wiser does not automatically make you a success in life. Only God can put you at the right place at the right time. It should also remind us that our life is not made up of our own achievements but are of the blessings which God decrees on us.
May you be reminded of the need to not strive too hard, because God is with us.
blessings,
M
"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
I quite like the verses of Ecclesiastes because they have a strange but profound way of saying that almost everything we do to gain in life on earth is in vain. It's also kinda bleak to read it all if you are a competitive person in this competitive nation who is striving to achieve your excellence before man. Ecclesiastes does seem to encourage us to be resigned as slackers in life - don't vie, don't try so hard, after all everying is vanity. Someday, we'll die and won't be able to bring with us any of the accolades that life's glory bring or the richness of wealth that we accumulate and store up.
However, the very finite reality which Solomon talks about is a very important key fact for us to know and believe. It's to keep us grounded in the striving for better grades, more money or larger pay increaments. We should not need the death of a close one for us to be brought down to the reality of our life being a passing, fleeting moment.
God’s Word tells us that being faster, stronger and wiser does not automatically make you a success in life. Only God can put you at the right place at the right time. It should also remind us that our life is not made up of our own achievements but are of the blessings which God decrees on us.
May you be reminded of the need to not strive too hard, because God is with us.
blessings,
M
"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
