Keep Eternity in View

Keep Eternity in View | 3dlessons4life.comPhoto Credit

In 1985, I graduated from high school, packed my bags, and flew the coop.

I’d dreamed of this moment for so long. My heart longed for freedom.

Yet, just a few short weeks later, I suddenly felt restless. I longed for home.

This dissatisfaction with my circumstances was the beginning of a new understanding for me.

Yes, this world promised fulfillment and fun, but somehow it was never quite enough.

…I longed for more.

I finished college, got a job, and decorated an apartment.

…and I still longed for more.

I spent two decades praying for God to place a husband under my Christmas tree, and then one magical day, I wore a veil and walked down an aisle.

…and I still longed for more.

I’ve learned that worldly fare always leaves you hungry.

Can you relate?

Solomon certainly can. He had it all — an offensively large bank account, the keys to the kingdom, and more women at his disposal than probably Hugh Heffner himself.

He had it all, but it was never enough.

For the last eight weeks, I’ve studied Solomon’s treatise on life. Ecclesiastes is a timeless classic that is relevant to our day. Donald Trump really needs to read it.  He is a very Solomon-esque man.  Don’t you think?

Honestly, studying Ecclesiastes is not for the faint of heart. The book can be downright depressing at times, but if we listen and learn from Solomon, we might just avoid living a life filled with regret.

So let’s imagine that you and I are meeting Solomon for a cup of joe at Starbucks today. What wisdom would he share?

If you are note taker like me, here are the highlights.

Top 10 Takeaways from Ecclesiastes

  • Keep Eternity in View: I need to keep my eyes firmly focused on God and remember that no matter what happens here on earth, God is going to make all things new one day and get rid of sorrow, sin, weeping, and pain. My life doesn’t “end” here on earth on the day I die. In fact, I will one day be absent from my body, but fully alive and present before my Creator. My job is to keep looking forward and to invest in the 2 things that will outlast this life — God’s Word and the souls of men.
  • Trust God: I might not fully understand God, but only pursuing Him leads to true satisfaction. Rather than focus on results, I need to focus on relationship. I need to remember that I don’t have a complete understanding of how God is orchestrating things. From my finite viewpoint, I may see events in my life as purpose-less, but one day when I get to heaven, I will have the complete picture of how God was working in ways that I did not see with my human eyes. In the meantime, my job is to stay faithful and to not lose heart. The wise choices that I make today, may help to point another person to Christ and save them from an eternity apart from God. As Galatians 6:9 encourages, I should not grow weary in well doing.
  • Work Hard: There are no shortcuts in life. When I “cut corners” in any area of my life, I end up either on a dead-end street or going around in circles and just wasting valuable time and energy. As I yield my life to God and surrender all that I do to Him, I find purpose and meaning in my work and in my play. I cannot forget that I am here to know God and to make Him known. Placing God at the center of all that I do is how I find true pleasure and joy.
  • Learn to “Roll with It”:  I waste a lot of precious time wondering “why” and asking God “what if,” when I should be making every moment count by asking God “what do you want me to do now in this situation, Lord?” Rather than trying to change my circumstances, I need to adjust my attitude and focus on how to bring Him glory through my response each moment of my day.
  • Be a Giver: This world’s values will drain me of all joy and make life a chore. I need to remember that God is a giver, not a hoarder. To be like Christ, I must serve, not be selfish. When I find myself feeling weary with life, I need to stop and re-examine where I am putting my focus. Am I starting to feel entitled? Am I focused on my flesh, rather than yielding to my spirit? A good heart check every so often is important.
  • Cultivate a Thankful Heart: My choices do have consequences, and more importantly, my heart attitude will determine how pleasing I am to God. Am I thankful for the gift of life today? Am I thankful that I get to partner with God in His redemptive purposes today? Am I willing to take up my cross and follow Jesus knowing that the suffering I experience now will be but a shadow when I experience the glory that is to come in heaven when I see Him face to face? If things don’t go my way, will I trust that God has a greater plan?
  • Choose Wisely: “Wisdom speaks quietly” but changes the atmosphere. When we live wisely, our heart is tender to the Lord, and this impacts our countenance so that we radiate God’s Light to those who are hardened by sin. Rather than fear man, I need to fear God. Man has no power to defeat God’s purposes in my life.
  • Stay in the Word:  In Proverbs 2, Solomon encourages us to be wise daughters who β€œreceive” God’s Word and β€œtreasure” His precepts. We are called to perk up and pay attention leaning forward with anticipation so that we do not miss a single syllable of what God has to say to us. We are to pray for wisdom and search for it like a pirate who is greedy for treasure. As we continue to study God’s Word, seek to know Him more, and grow in our love for what makes His heart happy, He will teach us to tremble for Him above everything else in this world.
  •  Make Each Day Count:  How will my life today reverence my God? How will I choose to say no to this world and yes to God? Consider the brevity of life and “live like you am dying.” Create a legacy with your life.  Invest in moments that matter in light of eternity.
  • Fear God Above All Else:
    • Surrender to His sovereignty
    • Respect His holiness
    • Honor Him with a humble heart attitude
    • Remember He is a Righteous Judge
    • Obey His voice
 
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words:
Respect and obey God!
This is what life is all about.
Ecclesiastes 12:13, CEV

Stamp Eternity on my Eyeballs | 3dlessons4life.com

Something to think about…

 

 


21 Comments

  1. Lyli I simply love and applaud you for this post, so dear to my heart are our words. My prayer this year has been that every moment count for eternity.

    Love hearing confirmation from others that strengthens this resolve.

    God bless you precious friend.xx

  2. Hi Lyli, as I read your post I was reminded of when my husband asked his mother what her gift is, and she replied contentment. Not something I would have thought of as a gift, but it most certainly is. Great post
    God bless
    Tracy

  3. I’ve always kind of hard a hard time with the book of Ecclesiastes, I so appreciate reading your takeaway list today. Thanks for sharing your insight. Helps me to see the value it what DOES seem like a depressing book. πŸ™‚

    1. We look at 3 or 4 verses a day, which helps to make the medicine go down in easier to swallow pieces… & I worked hard at resisting the urge to get up from the table! — About 2 weeks in, I started to realize how timely this study was in light of what’s going on right now in America. Solomon really helped me gain perspective: lift your eyes up, girl.

  4. I’ll admit it — Ecclesiastes has always left me a little sad and a little disgusted with old Solomon. Such a strong beginning . . .
    Your words today have given me hand holds for the truth that can be applied to my own life.

  5. Awesome post! Pinned it! Thanks so much for hosting. I will have to read Ecclesiastes again.

  6. Wow, Lyli–what great points. Love this. Thank you for taking the time to write it all out and share your journey through Ecclesiastes. Humans have a way of wanting what we don’t have and taking for granted what we do have. We could sure learn from Solomon’s mistakes and avoid a few regrets. Thanks for sharing. ((xoxo))

  7. Love the wisdom here, Lyli! Applauding you for studying through this book, like you said it’s not such an easy one! I will definitely have to reread it alongside your post. Thanks for sharing your insights!

  8. Lyli, I love this! In a world where we crave immediate satisfaction, it’s easy to forget that there is only one true source of satisfaction and contentment. Thank you for pointing us to the only perspective that will give us peace. AND for giving us ways to stay focused on Him and on the future He wants for us. Blessings!!

  9. Nice summary of Ecclesiastes! A former pastor used to sing a little chorus that started, “With eternity’s values in view, Lord…” We’re so caught up in this world and this life, which is so short in comparison, and God is constantly drawing our hearts away from the insufficiency of the earthly to what really matters.

  10. Longing for more. Yes, that is something we’ll do on this earth because we know there is better ahead. Thankful for that promise of more later! Learning to roll with it is one of your lessons that I’m working on in this season. Thanks for sharing these ten insights, Lyli.

  11. This really resonated with me. I shared similar thoughts/truths on my latest post. I love what you said here about continuing to study God’s Word, “He will teach us to tremble for Him above everything else in this world.” This reminds me of Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”

  12. This book, oddly enough, is my brother Hyatt’s fav – he even wrote a devotional on it w/ art – you can see it on his website: hyattmoore.com
    i think it’s call It’s About Life

    great post and encouragement! Thanks for culling the highpoints! (Cliff notes??)

  13. I love the book of Ecclesiastes! This is such a great list of takeaways from it! Our only true satisfaction will come from Jesus. All else only brings momentary happiness! Thank you for hosting each week and blessing me with your hope-filled words! I would love it if you would share one of your posts on my new link up, Moments of Hope, on Monday! Your words are exactly what I pray God would flood this space!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

  14. Solomon was a very wise man, but I also think you’ve got a lot of wisdom in this post! Great *take-aways* from the book of Ecclesiastes. I’ve learned a lot today, and have much to ponder. And yes, fear of God is the singularly most important thing…

    GOD BLESS!

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