That's the Book: Ecclesiastes

My daughters are growing up in a tech world. They both have digital games and books and videos.  My eldest received a six month subscription to Club Penguin which is about to expire. She's concerned as she'll lose all her little digital prizes she's earned. I keep trying to explain that digital igloo furniture isn't real. My youngest keeps trying to talk me into purchasing her credits so she can unlock the next Strawberry Shortcake level.  She says she's tired of decorating the free cupcake.  Again. I keep trying to explain it does not matter. A year from now neither one is going to care in the least. Go play with blocks. Read a real book.  Goodness girls. 

Ecclesiates is a book of wisdom from Solomon. It's an interesting read when tucked up against the book of Proverbs. Two sides of one coin. Proverbs is all about how to live properly. Ecclesiates is all about how it may not matter.  Both together are the perfect way to live a life. One eye on wisdom and hard work and prudence.  One eye on joy and grace. The third book of the wisdom trilogy in the Bible is the book of Job. See what God did there? Suffering is a part of the story of life, but not the totality. These three books work best together.    

Ecclesiastes is a call to live life with an eye on eternity. None of our plans or bank accounts or accomplishments matter if eternity is wrong. And yet, when we live according to some principals we may empower or equip others to complete their journey. It's all futile. Except it is not. Here are some of my favorites lessons from Ecclesiastes.  

DON'T STRESS OVER THE DETAILS. THEY DON'T MATTER. 
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.  Ecclesiastes 1:14

GOD'S GOT A PLAN
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

OBEY GOD
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of every human being.   Ecclesiastes 12:13

THROW FABULOUS DINNER PARTIES
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the day sof the life God has given them under the sun.  Ecclesiastes 8:15

TRUST GOD
The Quirky Faith logo with its dandilion seed is inspired by a couple of Bible verses.  One of them reminds me to simply trust God.   
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5 

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE OF LOVE
Two are better than One because they have a good return for their labor.  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

WORK HARD 
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.  Ecclesiastes 9:10

Guess what? Quirky Faith has recently been accepted as one of the Top 50 Christian blogs by Feedspot.  See the list HERE.  Quirky Faith is #40. They sent me this fun little digital award.  I did a little dance when I saw the list.  Then I paused.

It looks a lot like a Strawberry Shortcake credit. Or a penguin igloo. I'm just like my daughters.  I spend lots of time and energy blogging.  And the sum total of the effort does not matter if all I'm counting is clicks and likes and little digital awards. But the effort is all worth it if a soul is encouraged. If a lost one comes home. If the truth shines. It matters because it's eternal. 

 Let me break it to you. Your work and paycheck and awards don't matter either. Take the message from Ecclesiastes. Don't take my word for it.  Go find your favorite drink, a plate of delicious food, park yourself by a window to view the sun shining today and read the book of Ecclesiastes.  Live your life with great joy and zest.  But remember the only thing that matters is eternity.  Invest well.

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