January 25
Straight from the Pastor’s heart by Dr. Hernes Abante
Ecclesiastes 2:11 - “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
Everything that we experience and enjoy in the world we inhabit is a gift from the divine creator, God. With His perfect plan, He created everything with utmost precision and care. However, owing to the influence of sin and humanity's pride, instigated by the Great Deceiver, Satan, humanity has led everything that was once flawless to ruin.
As a result of the fall of man, even the wealthiest and most famous individuals have found themselves in a state of utmost vanity. This is because God is no longer present in the affairs of men, and our life choices are not in line with His will. We have chosen to live without His guidance, and as a result, we cannot please Him. Although we may appear righteous and godly, it is only to satisfy the expectations of our fellow humans and not the divine master who created us.
King Solomon, one of the wisest men in history, authored the book of Ecclesiastes, in which he reflects on his journey through life. He recounts his experiences and pleasures but concludes that life is meaningless and futile without a relationship with God. Despite his immense wealth, power, and success, he realized that these things alone were not enough to bring true fulfillment and purpose to his life. His introspective exploration into the nature of human existence makes Ecclesiastes a profound and timeless piece of literature.
He had riches, fame, wisdom, and the support of all people. You would think that he was completely fulfilled and satisfied. Everything came to a failure, and at the end of his life, he was full of regrets.
The reason was apparent. It was because he took all the glory to himself when he says, “all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do.” It was not because of the blessings God gave him. It was because He used and ascribed all to himself and not to God.
God desires to bless us, and He will never hesitate to give us all we need to enjoy life. But blessings without God are useless. On the other hand, if God is magnified in life, blessings are extra benefits. It is because the source of joy and satisfaction is God. Let us not focus more on the blessings and forget the Blesser!
Solomon had once lived a life where he had experienced the greatest blessings a man could ever have, but all without the presence of God. However, the question arises - how much more abundance and fulfillment could he have experienced had he made God the center of his life from the start? The potential for his life could have been beyond anyone's imagination. It's safe to say that he would have lived a life that surpassed all that he had ever known before.
Asceticism, or self-imposed poverty, is not true spirituality. Our actions or limitations do not determine our faith. Instead, true spirituality is centered on God and having Him as the focal point of our lives. It is not about avoiding wrongdoing to please God or rejecting comfort and material possessions to honor Him. Instead, it is when the Holy Spirit completely controls us and transforms us to be like Christ.
In our quest for satisfaction, we must not rely solely on material possessions as they cannot lead us to Christ. Instead, we should turn towards seeking God wholeheartedly. When we align ourselves with His will, He will provide us with the life, comfort, and contentment He desires us to have. Let us not be misguided by the fleeting pleasures of material wealth, but rather, let us seek the eternal fulfillment that comes from walking in faith with God.
Our Prayer for today:
Dear Father, we are grateful for your love and kindness towards us. We acknowledge that we often prioritize your blessings over building a deeper relationship with You. We have learned from King Solomon's wisdom that material wealth and fame cannot satisfy our hearts, and only You can provide true peace and contentment. Help us to prioritize You above all else, and may we trust in Your perfect plan for our lives. Thank you for your constant guidance and blessings. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.