Ok, I'm going to start blogging again. On anything and everything. Anecdotal, devotional, gardening, and all things miscellaneous. Here's something from this morning.
Ecclesiastes 5:20 says that to those who God give wealth and pleasure to enjoy, that "he will not remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart." So true! Now, what I'm about to write may not be the spot on interpretation of the passage, but it got me to thinking. The people I know who have not experienced much hardship in life (I'm not saying I particularly have, compared to many) seem to float a little more through life, not always realizing the blessing they have, yet still living in joy. Nor can they experience the depths of empathy and compassion for others because they simply cannot empathize. Then there are those who suddenly get dunked into the frigid waters of confusion and pain of life trials and their eyelids are suddenly and drastically peeled back. This new lens, with eyes glued wide open, through which they now see life is startling and brings with it a whole new set of things to cope with but also a new, refreshing perspective on the raw realities of life that can bring joy. They seem to actually be living life, to be feeling life; in all its woes and its beauties. I would rather have my eylids peeled back and remember the days of my life. Though I may experience hardship in its rawest form, I also get to experience the joys in their rawest form. The joys of remembering the way the Lord has grown and changed me. I'm coming to like being forced into a place of vulnerability so that life is shocking and refreshing all at once.
Note: those who go through hardship are by no means "better", it's just a different perspective. If you're in the sunshine, dance in it! You don't have to have seen the shadow as a contrast to know to rejoice in the sunshine.
More wonderful Eclessiastes passages:
Ecc. 6:10-12
10 Whatever has come to be has calready been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
Ecc. 5:1-3
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
Ecc. 3:11-14
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
