This is it—the grand experiment comes to an end with such a
simple yet profound truth.
One verse
Not even the last verse.
12:13 says, “The end of the matter, all has been heard. ‘Fear
God and keep His commandments,’ for this is the whole duty of man.”
Admit it. Isn’t this one of those moments in life where you
want to grab this Solomon character by the lapels, shake him, and say, “THAT’S
IT??! Seriously? You take us on a rambling, moral/immoral, ethical/unethical,
hedonistic, schizophrenic, contemplative, physically and emotionally draining
roller coaster ride just to sum it all up with…
“Fear God and keep His commandments?!”
-
“I want my money back!”
-
“I want my Sunday mornings back!”
-
“I want my study time back!”
“All of it, because, honestly—I think a saved 7 year old
could have told me that! Why on earth didn’t you just share that with us to
begin with, Solomon?!”
And I can just see him—hunched over, shuffling along with
the aid of a cane. His beard is more white than gray. His eyes bloodshot
and deeply lined. To smile seems like it takes every ounce of effort the man
has, but he does so anyway. And he looks at me, gathers himself—draws a deep
breath and finally says, “Because you wouldn’t have listened. No matter what
you say now, no matter how much you brag about ‘knowing life inside and out,’
no matter how ‘simple’ you claim these few words to be…
Almost no one ever
believes them without at least a short grand experiment of their own—an
experiment complete with disappointment and pain, betrayal and boredom, cheap
thrills and moments of real joy as well as a million other life lessons unique
to us all."
“Then why even try?”
Because I said, “almost no one.”
Every now and then. In every generation. There’s someone who
prays like a Daniel, has the courage of an Esther, leads like a Moses, has a
heart for God like my father David, perseveres like Job, or has faith like
Abraham—All different, but all giants of the faith. And all these had one thing
in common—something they learned and learned young…
“Fear God, and kept His commandments.”
Shouldn’t we do the same?
So true that we almost all have to go through our grand experiments. I have so many regrets from mine, but at the same time, it makes me value the time I have left in life for serving God. It makes me want to finish my life like a Daniel or Moses. Thanks for the insight!
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ReplyDeleteNikki, I hear your heart -- really, I do. But the Lord is in control and the Lord is not mocked. He will not let His church be destroyed. I made the decision from the get go not to get in the mud slinging and slander pit. I believe the Lord will have His way and good will come of this, but that it will happen in a godly and supernatural way in which God will get all the glory! He's given me a peace about it. Trust Him! In the meantime, read Psalm 5 -- especially 9-11 and know that all things work together for good...
ReplyDeleteIn His time.
Pastor Rob