Free & Fit - Edifying Ecclesiastical Reflections Thursday 24th October 2024 Ecclesiastes 1 Reflection

Edifying Ecclesiastical Reflections

Thursday 24th October 2024

Ecclesiastes 1 Reflection

Opening Verse:

““Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.””

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].” [Rom 8:20]”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Reflection

As we begin our study of Ecclesiastes I am encouraged by seeing our opening verse in both the NIV and Amplified translations. Every time I have read and approached this passage in the NIV I have been left feeling somewhat contextually challenged. What is meaningless? Who is meaningless? Why do things seem meaningless? It leaves me with doubt, fear and despair at the world, the text and with a confusing perspective of Gods creation, people and purpose with a set of more complex questions than when I began reading the first chapter!

Yet, when I pause, ponder and look at the word Vanities it makes so much more sense. I love the Amplified bible version, especially the Joyce Meyer addition and I have her old school translation and commentary in print. It helps me go deeper into my understanding, develop a more precise context to the authors thoughts and helps me realise the lament, the lambasting and longing of the writer to seek God in the midst of his daily life challenges.

Do you long to seek for God to show up in your circumstances? Your life’s work? The impact you wish you could have in the future? If we remain stagnant, without purpose and continue coasting every thing can become meaningless. Therefore, we have a decision to make will we settle for less, will we remain without meaning and do less? Or will we fight for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seek for real change to happen in our life time, in our own communities and in and through our own hands and feet!

Jesus demanded that his followers pick up their Cross and follow Him. He didn’t say follow an Instagram, Tik Tok or Facebook page, group or profile, a sports team or specific political ideology. No. Jesus asked us to follow Him. Today, let’s choose the greater way, the greater purpose and the higher calling and follow Him!

Closing Prayer

Father God we thank you for Jesus. That he came to set us Free. To become more like Him, less like us and more like the man and woman of God that he made us to be. We believe in you Jesus, we love you Jesus and we need you right now in all we do! Thank you so much for saving us again, delivering us from evil and helping us to follow you in everything we do all in Jesus name. Amen

“So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

#psalms #planks #prayers

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