Ecclesiastes 3 : 21, 12 : 7

Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth? For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 

Meditation

"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"  The book of Ecclesiastes begins and ends with this well known expression.  Is all just vanity ? What is the meaning of vanity ? If someone is vain, they are prideful and full of themselves (appearance, abilities and achievements). For many vanity has a very negative connotation. However, in  Hebrew, the word vanity is "hevel" which means fog, wind or breath already spent. It's something you can feel but can't actually see and you haven't got any control over. Life is similar, in that we don't choose the day we were born and we don't know when we will die. How can the same word have such a different meaning? In fact, they are not that different. Their similarity lies in the fact that nothing is forever! There is a physical end to everything. Every single living organism has a beginning and an end, it's only a matter of time.  As Christians we believe in Eternal Life, but it isn't our physical body that's eternal; it's our "spirit - soul" that belongs to God that's eternal.

"And the LORD God formed man ‭of‭ the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2 : 7)

The breathe of life - RUAH, also the name of this community, which God breathes into us is not to be confused with HEVEL which is the air that we breathe out.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ( John 3 : 16)

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."  As Christians, on Ash Wednesday, when we receive ashes in the Sign of the Cross on our forehead, we are reminded of our mortality and our need to repent and ask for forgiveness. We are reminded that there is a time for everything in life and that when we go to our grave, we take nothing with us. This is what the expression "all is vanity" is about. The author of Ecclesiastes asks himself if all of his hard work is really worth anything in the end because everything comes to an end. It is at a time period where all of Judea was under the rule of Egyptians. To make things worse, the Jews felt that God was very remote and uncommunicative. Maybe some of us have that same feeling today in this upside down world?

 Never forget that what defines a Christian, is HOPE, hope in Jesus Christ who came into this world to save everyone !  A person filled with the Holy Spirit is at peace, has confidence, inner joy and HOPE no matter what ! How about memorizing one of these verses to help keep a positive attitude? 

  ‘If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes. ( Mark 9 : 23)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15 : 13)

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31 : 6)

Meet the Challenge

This week, let us make an inventory of our lives of what is necessary / unnecessary . Can I imagine living without Him? What can I put into place to help make God a "necessary" part of my life ? What can I change, get rid of that isn't necessary and takes up too much space or time? 

• suggestion : either read the passage below or listen to it in the song "Turn, turn, turn" below. 

"All things have their time, and all things under heaven continue during their interval. A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pull up what was planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to gain, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8) 

• challenge1 :what do you want people to remember you for? what symbolises who you are? 
  
• challenge 2 : how necessary is your smart phone? 

 - Which Apps ? 

- Why do you use those Apps? 

- How do you feel after using a certain App? 

- Can you delete and live without that App?  If not, why?

Let's Pray

Oh heavenly Lord,

My life is hectic and messy. I never have enough time. Am I wasting time?

Guide me, oh Lord. Bring order to my mind and life. Establish your priorities in my heart. Help me focus on the essential.

Let me seek you first, oh loving Lord.

May your Word teach me and your Spirit guide me. May your Kingdom come to me to drive out waste and confusion.

Show me when to ask for help or when to say no.

Keep me sharp and focused. Give me strength, oh Lord, to resist the temptations that lead me away from your will.

Your Son gives me eternal life, but my time on earth is short. So manage my time, oh Lord, as you see fit.

I can do all things through you, as I am saved by Christ and loved by God.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

Let's Praise Him

Let's go back in time to the sixties and listen to "Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds