Focus

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Close your eyes and open yourself as you relax into a peaceful state. Be willing to expose yourself for who you are as God created you to be. Breathe deeply as you prepare to hear God’s Word.

Read

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Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (NRSV)

The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What do people gain from all the toil
at which they toil under the sun?
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises and the sun goes down,
and hurries to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south,
and goes around to the north;
round and round goes the wind,
and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea,
but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow,
there they continue to flow.
All things are wearisome;
more than one can express;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
or the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there a thing of which it is said,
“See, this is new”?
It has already been,
in the ages before us.
The people of long ago are not remembered,
nor will there be any remembrance
of people yet to come by those who come after them.

Reflect

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They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. Solomon would agree and, in many cases, so would we. How often have you asked yourself these same questions and arrived at the same conclusion as Solomon? Does what I do matter? Do I make a difference in anyone’s life? Does my work mean anything? Will anyone remember me after I’m gone?

I’ve certainly found myself asking these questions. Most pastors ask questions like this when reflecting upon their various ministries. For twenty years I’ve driven a school bus. Sometimes I wonder if it made a difference to any of the kids that I was their bus driver. After all, at some point in the future, the bus I drive will be retired from school service due to age and mileage and a new one will go on the road in its place. Likewise, at some point in the distant future (Lord willing), I’ll retire from service (probably also due to age and mileage) and someone else will take over the jobs I’m currently working. Like Solomon, you cannot help but wonder whether or not your life has meaning.

I once heard a story about a radio program where people were debating the value of listening to sermons. A caller phoned in and asked why he should bother going to church and listening to the sermon because he rarely remembered what the sermon was about even a day or two afterwards. Finally, a man called the radio program and gave this response, “My wife has cooked supper for me every night for 20 years. I cannot remember what we ate a couple of nights ago, much less years ago. But I know that on that day, at that time, it nourished my body and fed me. Sermons are much the same. I know that on the Sunday I heard it, it nourished my spirit and fed me what God needed me to receive.”

Recently, the Jerusalem congregation celebrated its 200th anniversary. Even though I cannot name all the ministers who served the congregation, I know that in the time God called them to serve there, they impacted the community and molded the congregation into the community of faith I serve today. Even when it doesn’t seem to matter, even after your name is forgotten, know that God is using you in a mighty way right now in the place God has called you to serve.

Pray

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Loving God, we all want to make a difference. Sometimes we get discouraged and think that our lives do not matter. Help us to realize that success is not defined by what others believe about us, but by the way that you view us. Thank you for never forgetting our names. Help us to make a difference in the world for you, O God. Amen.

Go with God.