BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Chasing the Wind

Hungry.

We live in a world that is hungry – for wealth, for fame, for power, for pleasure.

People are searching…

And yet, the more they try to get, the more they realize how little they really have.

Almost 3,000 years ago, Solomon spoke about this human dilemma. And yet, because we are all so very human – the insights and applications of his message are relevant and timely today.

I used to think the book of Ecclesiastes was a pretty depressing read – (except for inspiring a catchy little tune from The Byrds in 1965 – "Turn, Turn, Turn.")

Empty, futile, hollow, nothing – the words have a ring of disappointment and disillusionment.

Life is empty, meaningless.

Hey Solomon, way to be Debbie Downer…

But, in the midst of what some might call "gloom and doom," I believe Solomon found truth.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is key:

"So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can…enjoy anything apart from him? God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him." (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26)

Yes, Solomon was a wise man indeed.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, he takes us on a thoughtful journey through his life – reflecting on an analysis of life's experiences and taking a critical look at the true meaning of life.

I think it's crucial to remember that these are the words of someone who *had it all.* Wealth, fame, power, and pleasure. (Would Solomon be the Bill Gates of our day?)

And in the end, he considered it all meaningless – like chasing the wind.

So, in our verses today, is Solomon giving us the advice to "eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die"? Is he recommending that we make life one big, irresponsible party? Hardly.

Solomon's very honest approach has a purpose. All of his remarks are leading us to the one conclusion that he has found to be true – seek fulfillment and happiness in God alone.

He didn't want to destroy our hope, but he desired to direct our hopes to the only One who can truly fulfill them and give our lives meaning. Solomon affirms the value of knowledge, relationships, work, and pleasure – but only in their proper place.

Everything temporal MUST be seen in light of the eternal.

That's the message of today's verses. Without God, satisfaction is a lost search. No pleasure or happiness is possible without Him. The cure for emptiness is to center on God. His love can fill the emptiness of human experience.

So, I'm reflecting on Solomon's message.

There are many things in this life that I enjoy – I'm sure you do, too. Is that wrong? Absolutely not. It's how we view these things – where we think they come from – that dictates a right spirit about their enjoyment.

Everything comes from the hand of God – a God who chooses to give us abundant blessings!

What does the Bible have to say about wealth, fame, power, and pleasure? Quite a lot – but I choose these examples:

Wealth – "'Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.'" (Luke 12:21)

Fame – "Therefore, as the Scriptures say, 'If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.'" (1 Corinthians 1:13)

Power – "Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…" (Philippians 2:9-11)

Pleasure – "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires." (Psalms 37:4)

So, Solomon, what would your message be to us today?

I think maybe this:

Take pleasure in what you’re doing now and enjoy life because it comes from God's hand.

True enjoyment in life comes only as you follow God's guidelines for living.

Take each day as a gift from God, and thank Him for it and serve Him in it.

True satisfaction comes from knowing that what you are doing is part of God's purpose for your life.

When you realize that God will evaluate all you do, you should learn to live wisely.

Above all else, strive to know and love God. He alone is the source of Wisdom.

Without God, all is meaningless – like chasing the wind.

Yup, changing my mind a little about the book of Ecclesiastes. It's a brutally honest book – an unapologetic look at the meaninglessness of life.

But, it's also a book of hope.

Listen to Solomon's final words:

"That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Fear God.

God – the One who sent His Son, Jesus.

Jesus – the One who promised that He alone is "the way, the truth, and the life."

The One who gives us…

…fullness instead of futility.

…love instead of rejection.

…hope instead of despair.

…salvation instead of condemnation.

…eternity instead of emptiness.

The One who gives us…

…Himself.

"'If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?'"

(Matthew 16:25-26)

Are you seeking the things of this world, and hanging onto the things of this life? Is it worth it?

Will you let go?

Seek Him first.

"When in doubt, search God out!"

SATURDAY STROLL - NEW FEATURE!

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be *interacting* with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking to us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!

Praise the Lord!

Oh Lord, how grateful I am for YOU!

I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with His godly people.

Lord, what joy I find in spending time with my friends. Thank you for the blessing of their presence in my life.

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD!

All who delight in Him should ponder them.

I do ponder them, Lord. They make me wonder, and I am overcome with awe.

Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty.

I just looked at the full moon tonight, Lord. Your creation is beautiful.

His righteousness never fails.

How often I fail You, Lord. I'm sorry. And yet, Your righteousness never fails to cover me with white, shining robes.

He causes us to remember His wonderful works.

Thank you for the Holy Spirit, the Reminder, who brings You to my mind all the time.

How gracious and merciful is our LORD!

Yes, LORD, your grace and mercy are far more than I deserve.

All He does is just and good, and all His commandments are trustworthy.

They are forever true…

Lord, in a chaotic and unstable world, it brings me great peace to trust in, and rely on Your trustworthiness. You are my Rock, the steady and unchanging One.

He has paid a full ransom for His people.

He has guaranteed His covenant with them forever.

Lord, what a contract! Paid in full with the blood of the Lamb, stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit – we are purchased and sealed forever!

What a holy, awe-inspiring name He has!

I AM – how that name thrills me!

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.

Lord, show me Your ways. Give me Your

thoughts

and Your

desires

.

Teach me how to trust in You, and not lean on my own understanding.

All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom.

Oh yes, Lord – don't let me just hear Your Word. Give me the strength and the will to obey You.

Praise Him forever!

Yes, Lord, I will indeed!

(Selections from Psalms 111, NLT)

(SIDENOTE: "QUAINT WORDS" will still appear on the first and last Saturday of the month)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Deceive

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: deceive

What does it mean to deceive someone?

How does the world deceive us?

How does the devil deceive us?

Do you ever deceive yourself? In what ways?

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

(SIDENOTE: Tomorrow I'm starting a new weekly feature called SATURDAY STROLL. I will be *interacting* with Scripture - making it a conversational walk of faith. C'mon over and join me - you know we can all use the exercise!!)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE DRY PLACES

You know what I'm talking about.

THOSE places.

Sometimes it hits us emotionally, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally – (OK, in my case, OFTEN mentally…)

Times when we just feel dried up.

When our feelings are numb, when our bodies are weary, when thoughts and words don't come easily.

As a writer, it can be quite devastating.

I read a blog last week about this very thing (Elaine at Peace For the Journey). Oh, how I identified with her heartfelt words. But, we all know that empty feeling – when life seems to come to a screeching halt. When mountaintop moments come crashing back to earth. When our soaring faith hits a downdraft. When the cool and refreshing waters that flowed in us and through us and all around us, suddenly dry up.

On my travels, I've seen canyons that were carved by mighty waters. Carved by great rivers that plunged through the surrounding countryside, moving boulders and trees and many tons of dirt – rivers that changed the landscape. Powerful waters that made something big happen.

I've seen the evidence that the waters were once there.

But now those canyons are dry and dusty.

So, just like in life, I am left with this question – Where did the water go???

Sometimes I think God allows us to feel "dried up" once in awhile so we take the time to rest physically. I've been fighting some sort of respiratory thing this week – not sick enough to stay in bed, but not good enough to be out and about. I'm sorta enjoying the time to slow down – to give myself an excuse just to read and lay on the couch. I know that God is near, and I have a feeling that big things are on the horizon – but for now, a "dry place" is just what the doctor ordered, I think.

And that's OK – this is a sort of restful dry place, if you know what I mean. There's peace in taking some time off from life.

It's the *other* dry place that isn't so good…

Dryness is disturbing. It isn't comfortable. It's unsettling. We quite honestly want it to end. We mourn the loss of full and joyous feelings. We yearn for strong and energetic bodies (younger bodies???). We hunger for quick and easy words, for thoughts that tumble out faster than we can think or write them.

We ache for the waters.

And so, I've been thinking about the waters – and about the dry places. Not really wanting to sound cliché about it all.

Just this morning, a new thought came to me – that there's a big difference between being "dried up" and being "used up."

Fortunately, with God I am never used up. As long as I turn my heart completely over to Him, and keep my eyes firmly focused on Him, He can use me. Now, the greater challenge is knowing that when I'm dried up – there is also purpose in that.

We're not alone, you know.

Look at how many of His followers – Moses and Jesus, just to name two – were prepared for the Lord's work by FIRST visiting the wilderness.

I think it has something to do with the solitude and the stillness. In the dry places of life, we are quiet enough to hear the Lord speak.

But there is also a promise in the dry places. And that is the promise of life.

Beautiful life – even though it might be *camouflaged* a bit. I've done a bit of research on cacti – (trust the English major – it isn't cactuses). They are amazing plants. But one thing really stood out to me about how they survive in the desert.

"They may not get much moisture where they live, but they manage to make the most of what they do get."

I don't know about you – but I just loved that!

Cacti survive, and they actually thrive, because of their taproots – roots that find and store water. Roots that connect to groundwater – (groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations).

"The Hub" and I have often visited Joshua Tree National Park – and I have found an austere beauty in the desert. And I truly believe that there are many lessons to be learned in the "dry places" – things of beauty that God can only reveal when our spirits are longing for Him. Special revelations that can only come – not when we're just thirsty – but when we are parched.

So, I'm asking myself today…

Do I have enough faith to abide quietly in the dry places?

Am I willing to find meaning in the solitude?

Can I trust that God has a purpose when the waters dry up?

It's a matter of taproots, I think.

Taproots that connect firmly to the groundwater of Living Water. Roots that actively search for God in the "soil pore spaces" and in the "fractures of rock formations." Roots that seek Him – that finger out into the empty places, and know that He is there.

He promises He will meet us.

"But from there you will search…for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

"'If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the LORD." (Jeremiah 29:13, 14)

"Keep on seeking, and you will find…Everyone who seeks, finds."

(Matthew 7:7, 8)

Will I choose to believe that there is life in the dry places?

Will you?

Trust me, cactus flowers do indeed bloom in the desert!

Are you in a dry place? How can you tap into the Living Water?

(SIDENOTE:) "The Hub" shares this quotation from "On Desert Trails" by Randall Henderson:

"The real desert is not for the eyes of the superficial observer or the fearful soul...It is a land which reveals its true character only to those who come with courage, tolerance, and understanding. For these, the desert holds rare gifts...each season sends forth blossoms of exquisite coloring as symbols of courage that triumphed over appalling obstacles...to those who come [to the desert] with courage, it gives new strength of character."

Thirsty? Join me at Joan's GRACE CAFE!

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"