Ecclesiastes

I've been reading through Ecclesiastes (to which I don't think I can even pronounce) the past few nights and have found some things that were giant eye-openers for me. I should know this, you know, getting eye-openers from the Bible, but these were more like "smack yourself on the back of the head and yell "DUH" at yourself eye-openers." There's a reason why Solomon was regarded as so wise!

(All of my Scripture references are New King James (NKJ)- I just really prefer this addition)

1:18- "In much wisdom is much grief. And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."

Wow. So no wonder I want to cry or throw up after watching the news. Or no wonder I pray and ache for days after hearing about the things that go on in Third World countries were children don't have clean water and shelter. God knew this. Didn't Yoda say, "with great knowledge comes great power?" I can have power by choosing how I view things and what I also choose to do with my money and my time to have an affect on these things...

4:9- "Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help."

This just reiterates how thankful, blessed, happy, grateful, etc etc that I have a supportive, loving, responsible, personable husband (enough adjectives for you?). God designed us to work in pairs. (Hello, Noah's ark). In many ways this verse is why much of the world is falling apart- the breakdown of the family in our society. The focus turned away from strong marriages. I won't get on my soapbox, but I will make sure I am always "lifting up my companion." Not only by helping out, but by lifting him up in prayer.

5:2- "Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few."

O.U.C.H. Ouch. Guilty as charged, God. So often I open up in prayer and it's all about me.me.me.Brian.Jackson.family.friends. My wants. My needs. God, thank YOU. Thank YOU for what you have done. And God, allow me to LISTEN. Not just open my ears, for that is simple, but open my heart and really hear what it is you want me to hear. And help me not to be rash with my mouth with family, friends, those closest to me. I like the word "rash" because it sets up a nice analogy. Think how when you get poison ivy or the like and it starts as just a few bubbles and then spreads to one area, then you stratch and it spreads to another. Not only is that disgusting and miserable, our speech can be the same way. We say hurtful things to a friend who then vents to another friend and all of the sudden, we have lost our witness, our reputation... and all because we can't listen and keep our mouth shut.

7:21-22 "Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others."

Again, I am super guilty. I take things people say wayyy too seriously. I think this was heightened by having a child. Everyone has an opinion. Even people you don't know and will never "know" have a comment. "Did your kid fall on his face?" "No, it's his mole." "He's really small for his age." "Yes, he's our little peanut." And on, and on, and on. Thank goodness someone besides Brian can tell me to stop getting my knickers in a knot because people say the stupidest things. So we can all take note of the previous verse and not be rash with our mouth...then look at this verse and see that the outcome is- we all take things TOO personally when we've all opened our mouth and inserted our foot before, too!

12:1- "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth. Before the difficult times come. And the years draw near when you say 'I have no pleasure in them.'"

I think he is saying here that it's smart to build our foundation in the Lord while we are young and happy and before the hard times of loneliness and old age. I thank God that Brian and I have both "established" our faith at a young age. We didn't wait until we had children or the difficult times came. I think this has been a blessing to our marriage, too. Wait, I KNOW this has been a blessing. I think he's also saying that while youth in fleeting, sins that we start doing over and over again in this time (when it's easy to get into that rut) are hard to break in our old age. Not going to church. Partying with our friends. Being irresponsible with our finances. This passage just reminded me that the time to be serious about God is NOW. Not next week, not next year. Now. Because our youth is fleeting and we want to spend our eternity with God.

12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is man's all."

There is only one more line in the book of Ecclesiastes, but this pretty much sums up how our life should be. Fearing God. Keeping his Word. The rest is details.

Thank you, God for giving Solomon these words and using him to get into my cranky, tired, headache-laden heart today. I yearn to fear You and keep Your word ...and raise Jackson and any other baby Yoder's to do this as well. Help me, Lord to do this.

End note: I am not a pastor nor do a claim to be one. These are just my personal interpretations of the Bible as they spoken to my heart. If you wish to speak with someone who could help you with more, email me.