Morning: The sermon, "Shifting Your Priorities," explored Ecclesiastes 9:11-18. In this passage, Solomon continues to drive his readers toward a refocusing of their energies. He teaches them to shift their priorities.
First, he reminds them that they need to keep time and chance in the picture when planning their life. Time in this context refers to the seasons of life. Chance refers to the unexpected (usually bad) events that occur in our lives. Solomon explains that things don't always work out the way we think they should. Speed, strength, wisdom, intelligence, and education don't always equal success. Hardship hits all of us, and we never see it coming. Faith dictates that we prepare for the unexpected, so that it will not overwhelm us.
Next, he reminds us to choose wisdom, even though it isn't glamorous. We don't pick the path of wisdom so that people will love us, we do it because it is the right path to walk. To walk in wisdom is to walk in the fear of the Lord, to live out our lives in faithful obedience. There are many instances in the world where that kind of living just isn't appreciated.
Finally, Solomon instructs us to examine our roles. We are either part of the solution, or we are the problem. He says, "One sinner ruins much good" (Ecc. 9:18).
Most of us at times need to shift our priorities. From time to time, we get off track. Solomon encourages us to move forward on the path of faith.
Evening: Business meeting.
No comments:
Post a Comment