As I reflected over the last year about what has been most meaningful in my life, it amazed me to realize that the things which meant the MOST were the things I pursued the LEAST. Shocking, right? The author of Ecclesiastes, who was arguably the most prosperous man in the history of the world wrote:
“I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.
Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces.
…Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure.”
Ecclesiastes 2
Yet, what did he say about ALL he had attained?
“…Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was VANITY and grasping for the wind…”
Ecclesiastes 2:11
Wow, the author, who is believed to be King Solomon, achieved everything his heart desired; and yet—he was NEVER satisfied. That was my experience, as well. At the zenith of my life, I had attained the proverbial American dream and yet—it was never enough. I was broken by the emptiness. My worldly desires masqueraded as the greatest motivation for my life, but when attained, they were as illusory as “grasping for the wind.” My insatiable desires were indicative of my inborn hunger for God. I knew God existed because He has placed the knowledge of Himself inside each of us. The Bible says
“what may be known of God is manifest IN them, for GOD has shown it TO them.”
(Romans 1:19)
Through the gift of salvation, God offers us the opportunity to know Him and engage in a life overflowing with rich and Divine purpose. But the reason we reject Him is because we have an enemy who is constantly telling us……God is NOT good and He CAN’T be trusted.
But, oh my goodness, when we begin to discover just how GOOD God is and how much He CAN be TRUSTED—our life is never the same!!! We learn that we need Him more than we need anything. We know we are home when God’s love becomes our great habitation. The words of the Psalmist become a prayer…stirring our soul to thankfulness!
“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.”
Psalms 63:1-8
The pursuit of God is the ONLY resolution which will produce Divine satisfaction. Therefore, for the New Year, we should be focused on how we can engage our heart, soul, and mind, to passionately love Him. The more we love Him, the more we are satisfied. Our life overflows with His presence.
When we resolve to make God the center of our life, we begin to focus MORE on what matters MOST and LESS on what matters LEAST.
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2 Responses
i thank you for that word i want to grow strong in the word of God