Message to Me from Ecclesiastes

 

Dear Jay,

This is what you looked like in 1980, when God knocked on the door of your heart and the message of forgiveness, love, and hope flooded your heart. It wasn't an end... it was a beginning with many failures and foolishness ahead.

I wish I could go back and steer you away from many mistakes during that time.... pride, laziness, selfishness, envy, jealousy and a multitude of sins can tear a boy apart.

You made good grades and mostly had a good name.... but these aren't as important as we are led to believe.

 Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

But there is always a danger.... the effort to build and keep a good name is pretty self focused, dependent on the applause and recognition of others. It can be a false facade, and unfortunately can be a sinister idol. Sadly, there are times I have neglected the right thing because my reputation was in danger. Scripture calls this fearing man more than God.

But no need to dwell on the past. Learn from it and lay it at the foot of the cross of forgiveness.

What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,

and there is nothing new under the sun. 

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 

This August, I will turn 60 years old. It hasn't been easy at all! But after a few months of sheer panic, the Scriptures and God's love and people have gotten me in a good frame of mind.

There is no remembrance of former things,

nor will there be any remembrance

of later things yet to be

among those who come after.

I was born, I now live, and will die -  ultimately everything passes away.

For in much wisdom is much vexation,

and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 

Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

As time continues to march, it puts me in a strange place. I don't have time to try and fool myself or tell myself things as a sort of trick- all I have to rely on is the grace and mercy of God.

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 

I have to acknowledge that God has blessed me beyond anything I deserve- I have lived a very rich and beautiful life and my gratitude to Jesus is not impressive.... The best thing I can do is live. And living for things that don't love back is a waste. Living for myself is unsatisfying... living to love God and others is joyous.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 

What an amazing world! My family is a treasure!

So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? 

My job has been a fun one- yes, it is cursed work- plenty of thorns!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 

This verse brings in Lisa. I don't have words to describe her beauty and strength! My best friend and my partner on this journey.

A good name is better than precious ointment,

and the day of death than the day of birth.

This verse can actually be dangerous. There have been times in my life where I don't follow Christ the way I should because I want to protect my reputation. SO yes, a good reputation is good, but it should never be an idol.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. 

This is the simple plan of life and has strengthened my now in my approaching senior years.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. 

On that day of judgement, the accuser will want to take me down and I know my many sins. But the message of grace through Jesus Christ will be my only hope.... and that is a glorious thought.

(Scripture in this post from Ecclesiastes ESV)