Tag: worldly wisdom

Heavenly Hope

Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 4-6, Psalm 82, John 2 

Ezekial 6 

10 And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.

The phrase “and they will know that I am the Lord” occurs 65 times in the book of Ezekial.  The Lord doesn’t say this to show His ability to get revenge but to impress upon the people that the Lord is the only true Living God. Many people in Ezekials day were worshipping man-made idols and calling them gods. Today, I could say that we all have many idols that can preoccupy and take our focus away from our faithful God, who determines our eternity.  As I reflect on the difficulties I have caused, I think about how I placed other small gods before the source of my eternal life and love.  

Even as we read in John 2 today towards the end of the chapter, Jesus knows we ride the struggle bus daily. That our human nature falls short.  In this life, some will have a superficial faith.  In times of joy, we sing praise, while we can seem lost in the trials.  

24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

 

Heavenly Father, I pray we stay focused on you through it all.  Lord, help us remain strong and connected to you as the worldly idols pull at human hearts and minds. Lord, we can not do this life without You.  There is nothing more important in our life than you.  Thank you, Lord, for sharing Your Word that keeps us grounded and reminds us that there are no idols on this Earth that will fulfill our longing in our hearts besides Your love and grace.  ~ Amen 

Chasing the Wind

Leviticus 21; Psalms 26–27; Ecclesiastes 4; 1 Timothy 6

And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. -Ecclesiastes 4:4

Eccleiastes has been proclaimed to be one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all time. King Solomon, the author (and son of King David) was considered to be one of the wisest and richest men who ever lived. He knew very well what he was writing about. I on the other hand am neither wise or wealthy, but I have been familiar with both through most of my life.

Please forgive me if this sounds boastful, but in my extended family I have seen or been made aware of fortunes that have come and gone. At times I have experienced the effects of both the windfalls and fallout from wealth; witnessing pride from accomplishments of innovation and industry.

Not surprisingly a sense entitlement had grown through the generations, it moved past sustaining yesterday’s achievements to the decadence of wealth without work. Like the withering vine of yesterday’s will to create enterprise, the generations grew into a future where they placed more value upon the worldly gains that had come before, than on the faith of the past. One by one they fell into despair and confusion. Their trust funds couldn’t save them from the emptiness that crept into their souls.

Despite the growing darkness, there was always a flickering light of truth in the distance. The family’s acts of philanthropy had brought hope and opportunity to the underprivileged and outcasts, and inspiration to the generations. Schools, colleges, centers and clubs were funded along with research to enhance life through science and service. In their acts of kindness and sacrifices of time and treasure, the light grew stronger.

I have witnessed the powerful reach of wealth beyond the grave, trying to control the destiny of future generations. Personally I was invited to live a life devoted to the power of self and the wisdom of the world, but I have also seen the power of a different legacy in the lives of those who pursued the true light of the world — Jesus Christ. Their lives reflected the light of personal transformation, one that was only possible in the surrender to the will of God. This offered a different life and a legacy for future generations.

Everyone I have known, including myself who have chased after the wind, to the best of my knowledge, have never found what they were looking for, only vanity.