“Everything is meaningless ...completely meaningless.”
- Solomon, Ecclesiastes 12:8
The example of Solomon had to be presented to drive a point. Whatever we're striving for here in the lives that we live have to be placed before the truth that everything that we see, everything in this world will eventually fade away. Science seems to think so, but more importantly, we must ultimately admit that right now the world and its people are dying a slow and painful death as a consequence of all our sins and the consequent filth we collectively have allowed in our systems ever since Adam and Eve bit that apple.
Again, I thank God for all His love, and more importantly, His word. For unlike the vast majority of us who probably would stop at realizing that all in this world is for nothing, the wisdom of God gives us hope. See, Solomon did not stop with that line I placed at the beginning of this article. The last words of the book of Ecclesiastes are as follows:
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
I have to confess that while I was thinking about this article, I was thinking of a verse from the book of Proverbs (1:7, to be precise) to link up to that. Instead, I stumbled upon this verse, which I think is more fitting for this occasion.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments..."
- Psalm 111:10
Now that I see it in another perspective I'd like to think that the fear of the Lord goes way beyond what I used to believe it was. It's not about cringing and trembling and twitching and screaming at God like I would after a huge spider falls on my face as I open my eyes as I wake up (shudder).
Fearing God means that you acknowledge His existence. Fearing God means that you acknowledge His power over your life. Fearing God means that you acknowledge His total control over everything. Fearing God means that you recognize that He is absolute and eternal. This isn't horror story fear, my friend. Feeling the fear of God is the first step of faith that you will take.
Moving forward, fearing God eventually leads to the realization that you acknowledge the truth of His love for you, through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross for the sins of the world, past, present, and future. I'm calling you again, dear reader, to think about accepting Jesus as your savior, because it wouldn't make any sense if you read any further. Take note that the Word mentioned that this fear of the Lord, and the consequent recognition of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for your sins, is merely the BEGINNING of wisdom.
Fearing the Lord also means that you do His commandments, and as the Word mentions, a good understanding would follow. No religious system, no other belief can piece all of the pieces together as perfectly as how God would in your life in particular. See, what I'm trying to say here is that God puts worth in every single little thing that goes on in your life the moment that you allow Him to work in you. What used to be meaningless now has reason. Coincidence would be a word taken out of your dictionary, because every event that follows in your life definitely will not happen by accident. Everything would happen for the good of those who love God, and if you aren't being blessed, you're being used to bless someone else.
We have nothing, but everything through Christ. The events which have been happening in my life have not necessarily been pleasant in the view of the world, but I just give God more praise now than ever that I've been through what I've been through. In the face of all the circumstances and situations on all possible points of view, I thank God for every breath that He allows me to take, because I know that when I die, I die because His purpose for my existence has been fulfilled.
My life has been given meaning through God, who purchased me - all that I am, all that I have, all that I hold dear - through the blood of His son, Jesus. I may have all the reasons in the world to be down right now, but God has given me the option to hold on to Him. That being said, I place my trust in God in this whole economic crisis. I place my trust in God with regards to what's happening at my job. I place my trust in God in the upcoming US Elections. I place my trust in God on a personal level; I place my trust in God in the relations that I have - I place my trust in God for the friendship that I have with Michel, and the friendship I have with all the other people God placed in my life. He has all of our concerns in the palm of His hand.
Wouldn't you like to have the same peace of mind?
It's not too hard. If you're having a hard time coming up with the words to say, here's what I got to help you. I mean, you don't have to say it word per word, but the real thing that God looks at is how sincere you are in saying it:
"Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against you and that my sins separate me from you. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and turn to you for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
Did you just read that? Well, let me be the first person to welcome you as a brother in Christ! I guarantee that your life will never be the same again.
God bless you.