MIDWEEK MEDITATION

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
                                                                        Ecclesiastes 12:13

Where is God?

It is a question we often ask in times of crises, pain, and in the unknown. On our spiritual journey, we find that things don’t always make sense and we don’t understand what God is up to. We reach the limits of our wisdom. What happens next?

Trust. 

God calls us to trust Him even when we can’t see Him at work. It is incredibly difficult to take those next steps, but know that faith is a greater gift than answers to our every question. In times of uncertainty and the unknown, recall what you do know: God is good. He so good that He sent His Son to die for you and bring you life eternal. He is committed and at work. Step forward in faith.
 
When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart.

MIDWEEK MEDITATION

And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
                                                                        Ecclesiastes 8:15

You can experience joy in your life today. 

That can be a stretch to hear in normal times, it can sound ridiculous in hard times. The problem with finding joy in our lives today is the problem of our lives and the problem of today.

Our days right now are filled with uncertainty. They are filled with anxiety. In our lives we get caught in the trap of trying to find our ultimate meaning, our purpose, our identity, and our security in things that can never bear that kind of weight. 

The world around you cannot speak your true name. Those words belong to God who speaks over you your meaning, your purpose, your identity, and your security. It is when we are in this place, that we are free to enjoy the life we have in front of us.

You can experience joy. 

MIDWEEK MEDITATION

It is better to go to the house of mourning
    than to go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind,
    and the living will lay it to heart.
 
Ecclesiastes 7:2

There is a wisdom that is found only when we contemplate our life in light of its end. Life, the preacher says, is hevel. It is short. It can be confusing. The things that we spend our days on become what we spend our years on which become what we spent our life on. Too often we settle for giving our lives over to things that don't really matter. Ecclesiastes calls that vanity. 
 
We are all susceptible to vanities' lie. 
 
Wisdom if found when we place the things that that consume our emotions, our minds, and our schedules through the merciless matrix of time and death. What are you investing in that will truly matter when your life is over? This meditation doesn't lead to despair or nihilism. On the contrary, it brings in sharp relief the things that truly matter in our lives. It brings wisdom. 
 
What truly matters in your life this week?