RTW 2023

The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered. Whatever they did in their lifetime—loving, hating, envying—is all long gone. They no longer play a part in anything here on earth. So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!

Ecclesiastes 9:5-7

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, [be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions], for you will find it after many days.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (AMP)

I love how this verse allows us to try different things in life, and to not be afraid to try new things–we never know what the outcome will be.

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The writer of Ecclesiastes did not have life all figured out. He wrestled with difficult questions about meaning and life.

• Other people groups of the ancient Near East had similar questions and thoughts, such as is found in The Epic of Gilgamesh and ancient Egyptian literature.
• Wisdom was found to be both excellent and frivolous in Ecclesiastes.
• Once again, the God of the Israelites is distinctive from other religions in ancient Near Eastern culture in that He is relational, loving, gracious, and works intimately in the lives of His people.
• We wrestle with these same questions today, but we have a relationship with Jesus and live in deep, meaningful relationship with Him, and we know His love is real.
  “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”
  Ephesians 1:3
• “Everything happens for a reason” is not good theology. There are things we just do not have answers for. But Jesus is always with us, whether we do or don’t understand.

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We can embrace the tension of knowing there is meaning in life without understanding why everything happens the way it does. We can always be assured that Jesus is love, and that His love never fails.