Ecclesiastes: Chapter 11:

Chapter 11: Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters:

Monarch Ski Resort | Salida, Colorado

Solomon is telling us to invest our money into different ventures and reap the benefits of potential. Spread your money or wealth amongst a wide spectrum of things and do it wisely. We shouldn't just save our money and hoard it, we should use it to bless others in many ways; investing in people's business ideas, giving to the community, tithing to our church, and of course, saving for our future is a part of this as well. However, we should not be storing up large sums of money that we will not need, this is vanity. We need to use our money and enjoy life with those around us in the community as well. We are called to be men of action, we should not sit around and wait for things to happen or for our current status to randomly improve. We must put our nose to the ground and drive our success in business by being good stewards of the gifts God has granted us. All will be meaningless if we don't utilize the gifts that He has given to us. Again, this doesn't take away God's common grace that he affords everyone, but we will be lacking if we don't live our lives according to His plan. 

Quandary Mountain | Summit County

The beauty of the light in the world is one of the majestic and awe-inspiring things of all because it brings life to earth. It is a beautiful thing to watch the sunlight up our earth with sunrises, sunsets, light being bent and shaped. We should enjoy this and experience the wonder that is under the sun. There is no reason for us not to bathe in the glory days of life and soak up every square of joy, happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction. We are a spec in the grand scheme of the universe but we are given life. Although, we must remember, dark days are coming and we must root ourselves in the one who is the author of joy. While I am young I am indulging myself in all of the things that I love to do; rock climb, snowboarding, hiking, camping, etc. these are things that stir my affections for Christ and bring me great joy. However, one day, my body will reject these things and I will no longer be able to do them. If I root myself in activities and sports I will one day break down and lose all meaning in life, this is why we must maintain a balance and not lose the meaning behind all things. Perspective is king. That being said, we should rejoice in our youth! Indulge in the things that we love and due them to the fullest, we are alive for a short-time, relish in the time that we are able to do these things and give thanks to Him for the opportunity. Solomon warns us not to get lost in them. God wants our heart throughout the whole process, He doesn't want us to lose sight of Him, He wants to give us the fullest joy possible, and it is found in Him.

As a 27-year-old man, I have a lot of junk still blocking me from God (all self-inflicted and has nothing to do with God placing it there, it is all me). I have placed a lot of barriers between myself and Him. I protect my idols, but I have been able to slowly give them over to the Lord (not through my own power, but God working). There is no easy way of giving things to God - it should be easy - but it most certainly is not. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not coming from a place of humility, but pride. Solomon pleads with us (people in my age range) to deal with our deep-rooted issues now. Do not wait until you are married, do not wait until you have a family, do not wait until you are about to be divorced. Deal with your idols now! Yes, you might be lonely for a while but it is much better to be lonely while you work on your sins than to internalize and suppress your junk and then 5 years into marriage be face-to-face with a divorce lawyer trying to find out where things went wrong. Lust, lying, sexual impurity, anger, hatred, etc. seek help and overcome these things before you settle down. Do not wait until your soul is connected to another through a covenant with God. I cannot express the mercy that God has given me by ensuring that I am still a single man and not married. It would have gone very, very poorly for my spouse. There are things that God has shown me in my prideful heart that are very scary. Pride has a way of diluting the truth and showing us only the good things we do. We are blind to the hurt we cause others, we are blind to the sin that is within us, we are blinded from knowing the truth about who we are. This is why we need to seek out close friends, counselors, pastors, parents, grandparents, people who are wiser than ourselves and can see us from the outside looking in and explain what we are thinking and cry out to the Lord in surrender to the sin that is eating away at our hearts. We cannot overcome sin, only Christ could (and did) that, but we can draw closer to Him and seek healing from the sins that have a stronghold on our hearts and souls, we must loosen our grip on our idols and give them over to God in surrender, along with our hearts. 

Dear Lord, I pray that you will continue the good work in me that you have begun. Save me from my deep-rooted sins and restore a clean heart within me. | "I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 | I believe in you, but not fully. Help me trust you regardless of circumstances. Amen. 

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