Instrument-4-Christ

Wow…at the age of 23, this passage really strikes me. I feel like I am in that time of life between youth and old age, even though I know the expanse between the two is greater than that. But going to college with “kids” that are six years younger than me, I just don’t feel young anymore, yet if I were to live the average lifespan, I’m less than a third of the way through.

Regardless, what a great reminder from Ecclesiastes. No one can be young forever, so enjoy it while you have the opportunity! Nevertheless, remember that there is more to life than just the youthful years. In fact, in comparison to rest of life and eternity, it’s almost pointless!

Yes, there’s value in the early years, but there’s greater value in the years following. “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.”

Have I enjoyed my younger years? More importantly, have I lived them in a way that is pleasing to God? What about rest of my life that is still ahead of me?

“You do not know the works of God who makes everything.”

I like to take the conservative approach to making decisions. I don’t like to do anything that I think might flop. Failure is not my friend, so I try not to spend time with it.

Now, success? Ah yes…there’s something I like to enjoy. I like guaranteed success.

But life is not that simple. Not everything is guaranteed, whether failure or success. More often than not, the greatest successes are those things that present the possibility of failure. Why? Because God is in control and His methods of accomplishing things are different than mine.

Well, this passage is a good reminder to step out on faith and do those things that are necessary for success even though there is a chance of failure. After all, if I don’t even try, success is not even a possibility! Reaping good things is not even an option anymore!

No, this is not an exhortation to gamble or be irresponsible and do those things that have a high rate of failure. Rather, it is saying that those who never step out on faith will never reap any rewards. In fact, it even mentions the importance of doing things the safe way and having a back-up plan: “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.”

The farmer who waits for the perfect planting conditions will never harvest a crop. But if he still plants the crop, he at least has a chance of it producing.

Overall, trust God to bring about His success because He is sovereign, and He promises good things to those who are good stewards of what He has given them.

He who observes the wind will not sow,
He who regards the clouds will not reap.
He will stay idle and wait till the snow,
Then realize too late he has nothing to keep.

Fearful of failure, he withheld his hand,
Rather than using his hands to till.
Oh, if he only trusted God with his land,
He would have something his stomach to fill.