"Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire none but you. My heart and flesh may fail but you are the strength of my heart. Oh, the strength of my heart. You are my portion, forever. You are my portion, forever. Lord, you are mine forever. Whatever things were gained I count as lost, all for the sake of my reward. More than that I'm counting everything a loss compared to this: knowing Christ, my Lord." - Shane & Shane
Sundays. They always revitalize my spirit for the week ahead. This time around, however, I am really being tested. I'm wishing I could fast forward through this last semester and finish my degree! Of course, there is no such thing as a "fast forward" button other than on my television.
Don't you ever wish you could rewind, skip, or maybe even put your life in slow-motion? I know I do, but I wanted to see what Scripture had to say about making the most of our time. Here are wise passages from King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes:
A Time for Everything (Ch. 3:1;15-17) "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgement--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there. I thought in my heart, 'God will bring to judgement both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.'"
Stand in Awe of God (Ch. 5:1-3) "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few. As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it."
Obey the King (Ch. 8:2-8) "Obey the king's command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, 'What are you doing?' Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him. Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it."
Remember your Creator While Young (Ch. 12:1-8) "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'--before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
God's word is so powerful. In conclusion, I must say I am in awe of God after reading this and to the point of fear and responsibility. Indeed, to much is given, much is required. God has given us so much! I hope you too feel the same way, and that you will begin to recognize God, who has set eternity in our hearts, today. But also be ready--awake and watchful, as Jesus shares this parable which we can interpret through the gift of God's Holy Spirit apportioned to those who willfully choose to follow Christ:
Watchfulness (Luke 12:35-48) "Jesus says,'Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.' Peter asked, 'Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?' The Lord answered, 'Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much will be asked."
The cost of following Christ and obeying God's commandments is priced high. Yet at the same time, the reward is everlasting enjoyment of God's presence--which is priceless.
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Location:Magnolia Dr,Richmond,United States
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