Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Independence (9/7/23)

We often desire independence – whether it’s a kid wanting to get dressed by themselves or a young adult wanting to live on their own. We want to be able to take care of ourselves, support ourselves, and help our children and grandchildren to do the same. Some of the desire for independence is a great motivator for working hard. However, we can think we are so self-sufficient that we forget who truly provided our skills and abilities.

It’s easy to think we accomplished our successes. It can be disheartening when those successes are fleeting and don’t end up meaning as much as we thought they would. Solomon wisely encourages us to remember God, our Creator, before we get too caught up in our independence. We are to remember Him before we “need” Him. We may think we don’t need Him when we are young and that we have everything under control, but we aren’t in control. Circumstances can change in an instant.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7     

Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
² before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
³ when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
⁴ when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
⁵ when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.

⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

In the end, all our earthly successes shrivel up (“return to the ground”). However, our soul lives forever and can have eternity with God! The troubles of this life may be overwhelming, and the fleeting successes may be disheartening, but His ways will never disappoint!

Isaiah 49:23b         Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18   For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Instead of focusing on meaningless independence, we can focus on meaningful dependence on God our Creator and Sustainer! His ways and His work bring lasting purpose and reward whether we are young or old!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After Leisure before Labor (8/31/23)

Who doesn’t like a fun party or leisure activity?! Especially if it’s with people we like and enjoy. However, we can’t have a party or vacation every day. In fact, if we started every day with a party, how much work would get done? However, if we get all our work done first, then we can truly relax and enjoy a celebration.

Over the summer, the kids complained about having to get their reading, flashcards, exercise and piano practice all done first before they could watch part of a movie. In fact, sometimes they asked if they could go ahead and watch something for a little bit and then finish their tasks later. However, I knew that wouldn’t work well and they would be less motivated to complete their work after their leisure time. 

Solomon highlighted the danger of leisure before labor.  

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17  Woe to the land whose king was a servant
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.

I think Solomon is talking about pleasureful feasting and celebration BEFORE the work is done. The person who became a king young or after formerly being a servant might not understand their responsibility and abuse their privilege. However, someone who learned from an early age to take their responsibility seriously, understands not every meal is a luxury. Most meals are for nourishment and not parties every day. They diligently work hard and celebrate at appropriate times.    

What about you and me? What labor project do we need to be diligent to complete, and save our leisure time until after it’s done?

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Tomorrow 8/24/23

 My kids want to hurry and grow up! I remember thinking the same thing as a kid – wishing I was older.

Getting ready for school to start next week, James doesn’t want anything that looks childish (backpack, lunch box, or bike helmet). He’s going into 5^th grade and thinks his backpack from kindergarten is too kid-like. 😊

Sarah said she’s never ready for school and how nice it must be that Dad and I don’t have to go to school anymore. No, but we get to go to work everyday and still learn new things! We also use much of what we learned in elementary school on a daily basis (reading, counting, telling time, writing, etc.).

As adults, sometimes we want to hurry to the next phase of life, too. We can chase after the wind of tomorrow and miss the blessings and joys of today. I think that’s what Solomon wanted to highlight in this next passage.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10    Light is sweet,
    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
⁸ However many years anyone may live,
    let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
    for there will be many.
    Everything to come is meaningless.

⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young,
    and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
    and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
    God will bring you into judgment.
¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart
    and cast off the troubles of your body,
    for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Where are you and I missing the blessings and joys of today by chasing after tomorrow? Maybe it’s the next promotion, the next “perfect” job, retirement, the next phase with kids, more time for a new hobby, that next trip and the list goes on. Let’s enjoy what God’s given us to do today!

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Strength (8/17/23)

This summer my kids took turns walking my sister’s dog with my Dad. My sister’s dog, Patty, probably weighs more than most of them! However, my Dad helped them learn how to control her, even if they aren’t stronger than her. I guess you could say they learned how to outsmart rather than overpower.

Solomon was impressed by wisdom’s power over strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18    I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: ¹⁴ There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. ¹⁵ Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

¹⁷ The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

Strength isn’t everything. We can desire strength in order to gain power or fame, but it can crumble in an instant. Man’s wisdom can outsmart the strong, but as Solomon points out, even that can be fleeting. Seeking God’s wisdom has eternal significance, though!

James 3:17-18             But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Are you and I chasing after strength or wisdom? For what purpose and by what means? Let’s seek God’s wisdom for an eternal harvest of righteousness.

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God despite our Foolish Frenzy (8/10/23)

I was convicted by this passage when I read it this past Sunday! 

At church earlier in the day, Joe and I read some Scripture passages as part of an interactive church service. Ahead of time and during the service, I was a bit distracted in several ways: nerves, making sure the kids were sitting properly, and concerned Joe wasn’t going to remember all that he was supposed to say before and after his reading!

Then, when I read the following passage during my own quiet time later in the day, I realized I didn’t guard my steps well while going to God’s house. I wasn’t prepared to listen to Him and was more concerned about how my family and I sounded.  

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7        ^]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

I want to prepare better the next few weekends so I am ready to listen to God at church and not distracted by my own thoughts or nerves. What about you? How will you prepare to listen to God, whether it’s at church, Bible study, personal prayer time or other times of worship?  

Our Faithful God has so much to say to us, if we will just listen! He was faithful to gently tap me on the shoulder and point out my foolish frenzy from earlier in the day.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Knowledge

Living in a big university town, I see numerous people chasing after knowledge and education. Oftentimes it is the newest philosophy or theory. Sadly, their additional degrees and increased knowledge for knowledge sake doesn’t bring true wisdom or joy. Without God, everything is meaningless, as Solomon prefaced in Ecclesiastes 2:25 (for without him [God], who can eat or find enjoyment?).

Solomon concluded the book of Ecclesiastes with:

Ecclesiastes 12:11-14   The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. ¹² Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

¹³ Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

Solomon was probably the wisest wealthiest person that ever lived. Because God gave Israel peace during his reign, he also had all the time and resources to chase after anything he wanted – pleasure, greatness, possessions, accumulation, flattery, immortality, perfection, knowledge, etc. Solomon realized all of this was meaningless (without God), as we’ve read in Ecclesiastes this summer.

What meaningless thing or knowledge are you and I chasing?

Following God is beneficial for all ages, all people and for all time!!! Others around us can better understand this truth as we experience and exhibit the joy and satisfaction of chasing after God and following Him in our own lives!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Perfection

I am naturally a perfectionist. Because of that, I tend to wait for the perfect day or time or environment to do certain big projects. I don’t want to start something until I know I have all the time and resources to complete it and complete it perfectly.

Solomon saw a problem with this. If we always wait for that perfect day or time, certain things may never get done.

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6     

⁴ Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
    whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

⁵ 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.

⁶ Sow your seed in the morning,
    and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
    whether this or that,
    or whether both will do equally well.

It’s better to do what we can today with what we have (of course, while seeking and following God’s wisdom and direction). 

One of my desired home projects for the summer was to go through all the kids’ toys, throw out broken ones, donate no longer used ones, and reorganize everything. Well, it’s the end of the summer and I never had that “perfect” day to tackle it all! This past weekend, though, I started tackling the books and then Joe had an idea for the toys. It seemed overwhelming and I didn’t think we had time to finish (at least not to my standards). However, with all four of us working together, we made huge headway! It isn’t totally complete or up to my standard of perfection, but it’s way more organized than it was. We can now easily chip away at the rest.

Where else do you and I need to forgo waiting for that perfect day or time and get started on something God’s laid on our heart? We can break it down into smaller chunks, and tackle them one day or week at a time, the agile way. 😊 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Talk

Talk is cheap. People can say or promise all kinds of things. It’s easy to talk big and another thing to follow through. Also, people can look good on paper, sound great in an interview, but be a big flop on the job.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
    but fools are consumed by their own lips.
¹³ At the beginning their words are folly;
    at the end they are wicked madness—
¹⁴     and fools multiply words.

No one knows what is coming—
    who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

¹⁵ The toil of fools wearies them;
    they do not know the way to town.

In an outside organization, I’ve worked with someone that is a very pleasant conversationalist, has great ideas, but is now starting to sound repetitive (multiplying words, as verse 14 states). He brings up the same issues and ideas, but talks in circles about them. We, on various advisory committees, have recommended or provided assistance to help with some of the issues/ideas. However, he either doesn’t try them or doesn’t follow through to complete what was started. So, we end up talking about the same things at the next meeting, wearying us all.

Ecclesiastes 10:18       Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.

What about you and me? Are our words folly or wearisome?

Are we busy talking rather than working?

Maybe it depends on the project, whether it’s at work, or home or church. Where do you and I need to make sure our work matches our talk?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Immortality

I would guess most people like to think they are going to live forever (or at least a very long time). We don’t like to think or talk about or prepare for death, but it’s inevitable. Solomon didn’t like it either and realized all his wisdom, power and wealth couldn’t prevent it or predict it.  

Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a and 12    So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. ² All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.

¹² Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come:

As fish are caught in a cruel net,
    or birds are taken in a snare,
so people are trapped by evil times
    that fall unexpectedly upon them.

All people face death and no one knows exactly when. Our destiny is in God’s hands and His timing. We can spend lots of money to look younger or feel younger, but it won’t change the outcome. This life is temporary, whether it’s a few years or a century. Instead of chasing after immortality, let’s chase after that which is eternal.

II Corinthians 4:16-18     ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Where are you and I focusing more on something temporal than eternal? What verses help you focus on what’s of eternal value?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing After the Wind of Flattery

I had a friend years ago that said she would rather hear what she wanted to hear, even if it wasn’t entirely true. I was shocked!!!

After thinking about what my friend said, I realized that she wasn’t any different than most people. Most people probably want to hear what they want to hear. She was at least honest about preferring flattery over the truth!

Flattery doesn’t benefit us, though. We don’t learn, grow and improve without helpful instruction and correction (like Jessica’s Monday devotional on Discipline).

Ecclesiastes 7:5-6

It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
    than to listen to the song of fools.
⁶ Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
    so is the laughter of fools.
    This too is meaningless.

I would much rather hear the truth, even if it hurt in the moment. 

Seeking wisdom is more beneficial than pleasure.

Seeking truth is more beneficial than flattery.

Let’s seek to give and receive truth, in love, rather than give and receive flattery.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - The Gift of Joy and Contentment

How many of us are truly joyfully content? Are you content with your job, your income, your family situation, your home, your car, and even your vacation options???

Over the years, God has helped me to grow in joy and contentment in certain areas. I could celebrate with many of my friends as they got married and started families years before me. Then, after Joe and I married and prayerfully pursued fertility and adoption options for almost a decade, we were still able to enjoy life. It didn’t mean we didn’t have disappointments along the way, but God helped us be more focused on what He had given than on what we didn’t have and wanted.

Solomon describes this joy in life and contentment as a gift from God!

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20     ¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Finding contentment and joy in the positions, possessions and people God has given to us is a satisfying gift of God.

Would others say we are a person of discontent or “occupied with gladness of heart?” Where do you and I need to ask God to help us better enjoy what He has given to us?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing after the Wind of Sounding Good

Some of us are naturally bigger talkers than others. Even those of us that don’t talk as much still need to be careful what we say. In fact, when it comes to talking to God, we’re to listen more than we speak.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7        ^]Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

² Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. ⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. ⁶ Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

We’re to be careful when making promises before God. We’re also to stand in awe and listen to God more than speak ourselves. He does want to hear from us in prayer, but He has lots to tell us – through His word and through quiet moments. One of my friend’s favorite verses is:

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Where can you and I go this week to be still before God? How will you and I take time to truly listen rather than spending most of our time telling Him our ideas?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Chasing after the Wind of Envy

God expects us to work and to work hard at what He has asked us to do to accomplish His purposes. He may have some of you climb the corporate ladder to be a witness for Him amongst of group of people others can’t reach. He may have some of you acquire a large home in order to house missionaries, host Bible studies, or host other gatherings where His light is spread in and through your family.

However, we need to make sure it’s according to God’s plans and purposes and not for our own reputation or for our own desire to have and be bigger and better than others.

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 and 13-16 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

⁵ Fools fold their hands
    and ruin themselves.
⁶ Better one handful with tranquillity
    than two handfuls with toil
    and chasing after the wind.

¹³ Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. ¹⁴ The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. ¹⁵ I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. ¹⁶ There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Solomon saw that our drive to work for more usually stems from envy and not a desire to please God and accomplish His purposes. As verse 6 says, it’s best to be content with less, than to work tirelessly for things that don’t last.

What are you and I striving to accomplish or gain (whether in our career, relationships, wealth, education or athletics)? Why? What’s the real motive? Let’s make sure it’s not out of envy, but according to God’s will and for His purposes.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Life's Ups and Downs

Vacations come and go too quickly, most of the time. We often wish they lasted much longer! However, if we were always on vacation, we probably wouldn’t appreciate it as much.

I know several of you tackled weeds this past long weekend. They’re not fun to pull, but I certainly have a greater appreciation for the flower bed and yard after having worked in it myself!

Life is full of ups and downs. Solomon reflected on this in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Easy or pleasant things usually only come after lots of hard work or difficulties. Through the years, God has helped me learn to not wallow in difficult times. It will not last forever. Whether it’s hours, months, or years, a better day is coming! Then, with His help, I’m better able to enjoy and appreciate the pleasant times in life, whether big or small!

How does this encourage or challenge you in your current season of life? 

Alice