RTW June 6

Futile or Fruitful

But as I looked at everything, I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
Ecclesiastes 2:11

 

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

Read Ecclesiastes  2:9-11

Pleasure, Hard Work. Accomplishments… all like chasing the wind.

Futile

  • incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful: Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.
  • trifling; frivolous; unimportant

Live Fruitful Lives

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:1-4

How do we do this?

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:5

When we leave God out of our lives, nothing has meaning.

What am I chasing?

Something New

This verse is a thinker: “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.” Ecclesiastes  1:18

Something to Do

 

 

 

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6 Comments

  1. Eternal perspective vs. earthly perspective. Everything Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes is true – “under the sun” – viewing from an earthly perspective. It’s all meaningless.

    5:16(b)-17 “All their hard work is for nothing – like working for the wind.” Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud – frustrated, discouraged and angry. This passage was a good reminder to me as I am navigating a new job with a new boss and feeling frustrated, discouraged and angry (at myself). I’m not trusting God – yet, He does keep showing up and is so faithful to lead me when I turn to Him. And really, how important is my performance, and approval of my new boss, from an ETERNAL perspective? I’m working as unto the Lord and that is enough!

  2. -My pastor is teaching through Ecclesiastes on Sunday mornings right now. It is so important to keep the whole book in context and keep the ultimate message of the book in mind when going through it. It is found in one of the last verses of the book: “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”
    -There are glimpses of this conclusion throughout the book. From today’s reading: 2:24-25; 3:12-13; 3:14; 5:19-20
    -The following verse really hit home in my heart today. “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have.” (6:9)

  3. Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God has ………. planted eternity in the human heart……” How grateful I am that all that is “under the sun” is futile and like chasing the wind. God did design it in that way with intention, for it propels us to realize the emptiness apart from Him!

    Eternal perspective is what I have let go of lately. I’ve been so burdened by the sorrows and struggles of this life that it has eclipsed my view of eternity. Today’s reading and message was so perfect in redirecting my attention. It is not that I never knew the truth or even that I had forgotten it. It has simply been allowed to slip quietly off the radar…..that being one of the enemy’s favorite tactics with me. It is so subtle that I hardly notice until His Word, spoken or read, points me back.

    Thank you, Wendy, for your faithful dedication to bringing scripture before us and calling us to pay attention to what we DO know. That simple act of obedience so often leads to more revelation of God’s ways and will in our lives.

    Though I do not comment as often as I would like, I am ever grateful for the daily nourishment that RTW provides!

    1. I totally agree with what you said! Getting bogged down in the everyday frustrations and only seeing what is just in our “human” view, takes our eyes off the eternal view. The enemy is constantly attacking us with this every day, right now, in my face frustration and I need to lift my eyes and look up! Thank you Wendy for this word today and everyday!

    2. Jreed, I always appreciate your comments. Often you are able to express so beautifully what I am feeling or experiencing. The “quietly slipping away” happens to me too!
      I am not able to comment much this year. I have quite a few family demands on my time, in addition to working, so I am barely keeping up with the reading. But as Ecclesiastes tells us, “For everything there is a season…”
      I just wanted you to know that your comments are super meaningful and compliment Wendy’s teaching so well. Thanks for sharing.

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