I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added
to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all
should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that
which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.
(Ecclesiastes 3:14-15)
to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all
should stand in awe before him. That which is, already has been; that
which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.
(Ecclesiastes 3:14-15)
He who governed the world before I was born shall take care of it
likewise when I am dead. My part is to improve the present moment. (John
Wesley, 1703-1791).
likewise when I am dead. My part is to improve the present moment. (John
Wesley, 1703-1791).
I have never found the New Year very interesting. While I enjoy the
celebration of Christmas, the New Year is basically a time to hang a
different calendar on the wall and to spend the first month trying to
remember to write 2012 instead of 2011. Most New Year's Eves are
basically quiet; some years I stay up until midnight and some years I
don't. The page on the calendar will turn whether or not I am awake to
witness it.
celebration of Christmas, the New Year is basically a time to hang a
different calendar on the wall and to spend the first month trying to
remember to write 2012 instead of 2011. Most New Year's Eves are
basically quiet; some years I stay up until midnight and some years I
don't. The page on the calendar will turn whether or not I am awake to
witness it.
Having said that, I do take the new year as a time to reflect upon the
past year-- to give thanks for God's presence on the journey of another
year and to ponder what the next twelve months will bring. And it is
this time of the year that I often turn to Ecclesiastes. I like the
wisdom of the sage in that book. It's a sobering kind of wisdom written
in the context of trust-- trust in God for all the times under heaven.
past year-- to give thanks for God's presence on the journey of another
year and to ponder what the next twelve months will bring. And it is
this time of the year that I often turn to Ecclesiastes. I like the
wisdom of the sage in that book. It's a sobering kind of wisdom written
in the context of trust-- trust in God for all the times under heaven.
We human beings like to believe that we are in charge of our destinies,
that we are in control-- "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain
of my soul." But to use the word "invictus" to describe human beings is
one huge deception. Death wipes away that illusion in stark fashion. We
are not unconquerable as the wise sage of Ecclesiastes knew so well; for
there is a time for all of us to die (3:2).
that we are in control-- "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain
of my soul." But to use the word "invictus" to describe human beings is
one huge deception. Death wipes away that illusion in stark fashion. We
are not unconquerable as the wise sage of Ecclesiastes knew so well; for
there is a time for all of us to die (3:2).
John Wesley also embrace the wisdom of Ecclesiastes in knowing that God
was governing before he was born and that God would continue to govern
long after his death. The same is true for all of us. Wisdom is found in
accepting that truth and making the most of our time on this earth for
the sake of the gospel in this world. How often it is said that life is
short. It is short; and so we better get cracking in making disciples of
Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. There is no time to
waste because there's not much time for each generation.
was governing before he was born and that God would continue to govern
long after his death. The same is true for all of us. Wisdom is found in
accepting that truth and making the most of our time on this earth for
the sake of the gospel in this world. How often it is said that life is
short. It is short; and so we better get cracking in making disciples of
Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. There is no time to
waste because there's not much time for each generation.
The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is something to be heeded in 2012: You and I
are not gods unto ourselves.. You and I are not in charge. We do not
control time, and often it is difficult to know the right time for
everything, as the sage refers to it, "under the sun." Yet, here is the
Good News-- One who is more powerful, wiser, and more just and merciful
than we is in charge. Yes, the wrong often seems so strong, but God is
still the ruler of all that is. And this God has the times of our life
in his hands. We must rest content with that truth.
are not gods unto ourselves.. You and I are not in charge. We do not
control time, and often it is difficult to know the right time for
everything, as the sage refers to it, "under the sun." Yet, here is the
Good News-- One who is more powerful, wiser, and more just and merciful
than we is in charge. Yes, the wrong often seems so strong, but God is
still the ruler of all that is. And this God has the times of our life
in his hands. We must rest content with that truth.
Jesus Christ is the master of my fate. Jesus Christ is the captain of my
soul. He is Invictus. And only when I acknowledge such wisdom, can I
conquer as well.
soul. He is Invictus. And only when I acknowledge such wisdom, can I
conquer as well.
The seasons of our lives are held in God's hands. That is wisdom for daily living.
Originally posted at Allan Bevere's blog.
