Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ecclesiastes.

I am falling head over heels for this book. I've read it a few times but this time it's strangely intriguing and whispering sweet little things to my heart.

I love how King Solomon takes profound statements and insights while etching them into his own experience. It's beautifully written. Ultimately, Solomon finds that the meaninglessness of our lives, only find meaning while being handed over to God. Our lives are to be wholly centered around the existence of God. He captures, so well, the discontentment found in the lives of those who search for satisfaction and worth in their expeditions, scrutiny, and studies.

Overall, I got the idea that Solomon believes man has a inward conscious that cannot deny the existence of God. He believes this because of how our lives look when we live counter to our initial design and purpose...Well, that's what I understood it to be.

THAT, is a profound understanding of how flawless God's ways are and how nothing can twist His goodness. There is no way to discredit His plan - because as we try to manipulate it, it becomes all the more in plain sight. Furthermore, when we walk away from His plan the more obvious our meaninglessness becomes - thus discrediting our plans and validating His. So flawless!

There is so much more that is jumping out at me but I want it to be concretely in my heart and mind prior to posting it.

14 comments:

  1. I love how you can read the Bible over and over and new truths always pop out at you. That is such an awesome thought in knowing that life in God's plan is so much better because like Solomon says it is meaningless without Him. I love that truth! Thanks for sharing! By the way, I loved getting to spend time with you this last weekend :)

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  2. ashley !!! I also loved being with you this last weekend. so bomb. and so much love :)

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  3. Nice. It's just so mind-blowing how these words from hundreds of years ago can be so timeless...these truths really do speak straight into our hearts.

    Lately I've noticed that I lost taste in certain things that might have appealed to me a lot more last year. Sorry for being vague, but I think you know what I mean. And I think it began when I saw my life centered around God. Only he can satisfy.

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  4. i love your explanation of King Salomon's belief about God's plan. it shows such a clear understanding of who God is and what His plan is for us.

    thanks for sharing what God is revealing to you. its so encouraging to read about what He is showing you!

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  5. "I am falling head over heels for this book." Hmm. Not a comment one often hears about the book of Ecclesiastes.

    These "sweet little whispers" are big, sweet moments of the Father enjoying your company and giving you insight into who He is and the way the world works.

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  6. I'm digging your insight that you just shared about God unveiling awesomeness through his word. The part where you have understood that "man has an inward conscious that cannot deny the existence of God" is an interesting concept. Since God created us of course this must be true, since he desires all of us to know him, the one that loves us truly for who we are. It is sad to think that the people that are farthest from God have created a wall around this inward consciousness so that they have no part in a relationship with God. Breaking that wall down and realizing that closeness and connectedness with God is so vital that we as missionaries must try to help non believers realize. Hard work though. I don't know how much of this is making sense, but thanks for sharing! :)

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  7. I like how you put "Whispering sweet little things to my heart." A true testament that the Word is a living Word. That God speaks to us through His words, even if they were written a couple thousand years ago. Right on!

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  8. "the meaninglessness of our lives, only find meaning while being handed over to God". We all hear this, and know this, but I think it takes some people a lifetime to really surrender and understand this. I want to give Him the reigns NOW!! No wasting time!! Thanks for being who you are Caydin...love you!! =) and I know God has the reigns in your life!!

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  9. I love this! Mostly because I love that you are head over heels in love with the Bible :) Makes me want to dig in even more!

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  10. Great stuff :) I think it's amazing when reading a book from the bible over a certain amount of time to really meditate on the words and allow them to jump into our heart and take root. I also love how (like David said) how the bible stays the same. God stays the same. Thirdly! I love how different books and letters from the bible are orchestrated and constructed by the Lord speaking through people's lives to comfort and assist us in different situations/times of our lives. I know that was a mumble jumble haha but this was great.

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  11. caydin! i've been reading ecclesiastes lately too. but it's really my first time reading through it. the words feel so familiar. there's this sense that he finds everything simultaneously meaningless and beautiful. ah, the paradox. love it. i have a lot of thinking to do over this.

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  12. When we walk away from His plan the more obvious our meaningless becomes. Love it. Need to live it.

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  13. Ecclesiastes should be required reading for every new disciple. One of my favorites.

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