In the Midst of the Madness Podcast Episode

Do you get discouraged with everything going on in the world? How do you not feel like giving up? Tune in to hear what may be a friendly reminder of our purpose in the midst of the madness.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754

Ecclesiastes 2 – Futility of Work

I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world. – Ecclesiastes 2:18‭-‬20 NLT

The Teacher has sought solace in work. Now, let’s be clear about this, work is a good thing. Work is a holy thing because God did it. This book is not telling you that work is bad because it’s not. What is bad is finding your life’s purpose only in work.

The Teacher has worked hard. He’s trying to create meaning and purpose in life from work alone, and now that he’s had his work accomplishments, he’s reflecting on how meaningless they are. After all his hard work, one day, he will die. After he’s dead, someone else will take over what he’s left behind. And the same is true for us.

One day, we will die. Perhaps we’ll leave a company or organization behind. Maybe, like me, you’ll leave a classroom behind. And we don’t know if our successors will be wise enough to manage the work or foolish enough to banish working and responsibility. When work is your only purpose, that is a scary thought. When you work out of your purpose, that is a freeing thought.

If your only purpose is to work, then there is nothing to leave behind and certainly nothing you can take with you. But if you find purpose in your work, you can begin to leave a legacy behind.

Why was work meaningless? Because work by itself can’t give you God’s eternal purpose for you.

Ecclesiastes 1

These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
Ecclesiastes 1:1‭-‬2 NLT

So, as you can see, we’re off to a great start. 🙂 It’s likely that this is written by Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. He’s coming out of the gate with this statement.

Everything is meaningless. It is completely meaningless. In other words, there’s no purpose to anything, and there’s no purpose in anything. Ouch!

I love that this is in the Bible. Not because i love or feed off of negativity. It’s quite the opposite of that idea. I love it because it’s so real and raw. Sometimes, this is genuinely how we feel. Sometimes, I feel like asking, what’s the point? This week, I’ve felt that way. Now, I can’t wallow in this feeling, but I need to address that it is a very real feeling.

Ecclesiastes doesn’t paint a picture of a perfect life. It doesn’t pretend that everything is always all good. People aren’t positive all the time or even most of the time. Materials don’t make peace and joy. That’s the hard truth we read in this book, and the beauty is that as we journey through it, we’ll discover what really makes peace and joy.

Introduction to Ecclesiastes

I really enjoy the Book of Ecclesiastes. I forget how much I enjoy it until I start reading it. It’s one of the more relatable books to me. Why? Because if we’re honest, sometimes we’re just not feeling it.

I would say, it’s certainly not ironic, but this week I’ve not been feeling it. Not feeling like working and not feeling like making the extra effort. Yet, I’ve got to do it. I’ve got to work. I’ve got to try. But I don’t feel like it…What’s the point?

Do you ever feel that way? Like there’s no point to your routine. Work, maybe play, and back at it all over again. This never-ending cycle of the mundane routine feels draining, doesn’t it?

If you relate to any of that, then you can understand why Ecclesiastes resonates. The Teacher, in the Book of Ecclesiastes is battling the question of life that has carried throughout centuries. What’s the point?

Let’s journey through Ecclesiastes for the answer.

Romans 12:4

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, – Romans 12:4 NLT

We may not think about it this way, but realistically every part of our bodies serves a specific purpose. Eyes are for seeing. Ears are for hearing. Tongues are for tasting and so on it goes. It’s not a coincidence that each part meets a specific need. It was strategically created to meet that need.

The unique thing in addition is that our bodies are made up a lot of parts and all parts have a special function. In short, there are no junk parts to us.

Even with poor vision your eyes serve a purpose. Hearing impaired? Those ears have still served a purpose. And so it goes with every part of us.

In the next verse we’ll talk about how this is similar to Christ’s Body of Believers. For now, bask in the truth that God uniquely crafted every part of you for a unique purpose that can be used to glorify Him. You and all that you are is far from accidental or coincidental.

Purpose over Plans

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

This verse isn’t telling us not to plan. Rather it’s reminding us that God’s purpose is more important than our plans. Instead of asking God to bless our plans, we should ask God to help us align our plans with His purposes for our lives.

God’s purposes and plans for our lives are to prosper, to give hope, and a future. That was his plan for Israel while in captivity (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust His plans today, and entrust yours to Him.

There’s a saying, “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” I’d take it a step further. Not planning isn’t failure, I’d venture to say those who fail to plan according to God’s purpose are the ones who plan to fail.

Daughters Diary Podcast

I had an awesome opportunity to interview a friend of mine, Eden. She dropped so many nuggets of wisdom that I had to split the episode in three. 

Tune in for part one of our conversation. It was powerful and purposeful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754

Daughters Diary Podcast Interview

I had an awesome opportunity to interview a friend of mine, Eden. She dropped so many nuggets of wisdom that I had to split the episode in three.

Tune in for part one of our conversation. It was powerful and purposeful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/

Part of the Plan

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Psalms 32:8 NLT

We love to plan. Well I love to plan. I like to know the next step. I want to know what’s going on before I jump into something. Details please. It’s my wiring. Unfortunately, being wired this way can also cause anxiousness. However, this verse should bring comfort to anyone who is similar.

1) The Lord will guide you. He knows the plans He has for you and will guide you. We don’t have to figure it all out because He has it figured out.

2) The Lord is guiding us onto the best pathway. Not any old pathway or some opportunity. His guidance is towards the best of the best.

3) God will advise us. Advise means “to offer suggestions to someone for the best course of action.”

4) He will watching over us. He doesn’t leave us to our own devices. He guides us. Places us on the best path. Offers the best advise and watches over the process.

Be reassured today. If you’ve obeyed God and the path you’re on doesn’t look the way you hoped, just know it looks the way He planned. You’re right on track.

Obedience Yields Options

Obedience yields options. I’m watching it unfold in the life of someone I love. It’s truly amazing.

In short, I know the questions she’s had. I’ve been right there along the way. Similar questions myself about her next steps. Yet, I’ve also hoped she’d take it.

She’s taking it. She’s retiring and embarking on what life looks like in this next season. She’s heard God more and more clearly each day, and now her obedience has begun to yield options.

Before it was a question of what happens when I… because bills still have to be paid, decisions still have to be made, life still goes on even after retirement. And now she’s beginning to see her options. Retire and downsize. Retire and work part time. Retire for a year and maybe return. Move from her current situation altogether and work.

What looked like one choice with one outcome required an act of obedience that is now yielding options. Is all of it a little scary? I bet it is. Does it feel good to obey anyway? You bet it does. I quote, “I didn’t know the unknown could feel this good.”