I found an old notebook from the 1970’s in which I had written but one measly article. Entitled the notebook, ‘Reflections Out Of Time’.  I had big writing plans, but way too young to have many reflections to share from my life.  Way too much ahead that I could never have imagined.  More travails than travels.  But God has always been faithful.  Never butting-in when I chose to go my own way.  Waiting patiently for me to come to my senses and come back to Him.

I can imagine Jesus and the Holy Spirit interceding for me with the Father knowing that a few more bumps would not do me any real harm.   I’ve hit my fair share of potholes on the roads I’ve travelled.  Many of them others dug deep and led me right into.  Quite a few, more than I’d like to admit, were of my own digging.  I dug it… and then fell in.  Can you dig it?!

When I read the book of Ecclesiastes, I can feel myself in the presence of some older and wiser man.  Sitting at his feet to cull any pearl of wisdom coming from his mouth to my ears.  Eager to soak up all that he’s learned from life.

I picture Solomon, the King of Israel.  Reflecting on his life.  All those achievements– some good, some not.  Political, educational, relational.   Wine, women and song!  His first words– ‘Vanity of  vanities,  all is vanity’.  The Hebrew word ‘vanity’ is very difficult to translate.  Many shades of meaning.  Basically, it means a vapor, a mist that appears quickly and then disappears.  Nothing lasting.  Here today…gone tomorrow.

I have a suggestion.  Why not read one chapter in Ecclesiastes every day for the next 12 days?  As you do, begin to let the Bible remind you of your own life. Bounce off Solomon’s reflections.  Have your own.   Pause and reminisce.  Think and remember.  Pray for the Lord to infuse those reflections with His insights and wisdom.  We need to come to the same conclusion that this wise old man came to–‘The end of the matter, all has been heard.  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of  man'(Ecclesiastes 12: 13).

In the Hebrew it states that ‘…this is the whole of man.’  Our duty, yes, but even more– our life, our purpose, our everything.  All of it, the whole…is God with us.  Nothing foggy or misty about that.  You can begin to see more clearly now.  The fog has lifted.  The mist vaporized.  Reflections out of time.   How about doing some reflecting with Solomon…and me?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, it’s good to reflect on you in our lives.  You have always been faithful.  In Your Son’s name.  Amen.