Ecclesiastes 11 GO AHEAD – WISELY Life “under the sun” has many opportunities, and there are many risks. The fear of failure keeps many people from stepping out in faith into unknown paths and work, knowing that there are risks involved. Rather than being obsessed with the risks involved, we should think about the benefits that can coming from trusting God and moving forward into unknown activities for the sake of the kingdom of God. To stand still and take time to consider the assets we have at our disposal and match them to the objectives before us, is wise. The outcome however, is not guaranteed. When the benefits are weighed against the risks, and a course of action is decided upon, don’t wait. Go ahead in faith and trust God to bring the desired results you seek. One wrote, “Work as if it all depends on you. Trust God knowing it all depends on Him.”
Life doesn’t have guarantees, so be prepared. At the same time, don’t despair. Just because there are uncertainties, doesn’t mean we should sit still and do nothing. With faith in God and optimism directing us to the best possible outcome, go ahead and take action. Be realistic knowing that there will be obstacles between the start and finish of a project. Keep your eye on the goal and the reason for wanting to reach it.
We know, and have experienced, the goodness of God. He allows us to make choices with our free-will. Yet, He is the One who has the final say in any matter. So, in prayer, express openly before Him your scriptural objective and the reason for it. Let the word of God dwell in you richly. Let it be in your heart by faith and follow divine guidelines. Stay within the parameters of God’s revealed wisdom – and go forward in faith. Know that you are hiding nothing from our Lord, nor are you holding back that trust in Him that makes life meaningful and successful.
To the farmer, “Casting bread on the waters” would be like going out and sowing see at the right place at the right time. He sows in the most opportune time and in the most opportune way that is suited to the seed he is planting. If he sows rice on the water, it will settle into the place it should be and will bring what is intended from it. If it is sown in moisture laden soil, the same will happen. He acts on the principles of sowing and reaping, trusting that the results will be what he seeks. A business man would go ahead and ship his products, in faith trusting that the risks taken in sending the product way across the water will bring the benefits and profits he seeks at a later time. The Gospel preacher and Sunday School teacher will make sure the good seed of the word of God is sown in such a way in the minds of the hearers, that in a future day it will bear fruit in salvation. We understanding the word of God and what He wants from them, so spiritual truth will enable them to grow. When you sow seed in the hearing of listeners, children or adults, it is not wasted effort.
Invest in more than one thing. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. There are a lot of things that can happen in this uncertain life, so diversity is valuable in the long run, even though some things may seem to be more profitable than others. Invest time and effort into more than one person in the spiritual work in which you are engaged. The response from a child or a teenager will be different from that of an adult. Accept the benefits from efforts put forth as returns on the investment you make in people. It may be a word of thanks, or a note of appreciation. Hopefully it will make good changes in a person’s life.
There are few things we can predict, but we know that when the time is right, rain will fall from the clouds. We can’t know exactly which way a tree will fall on its own, but we can predict that when it falls, that’s where it will stay. So, we shouldn’t hold back because we are not sure of the exact outcome of a matter. Just be confident that when we sow, we will reap. When we work, there will be results. Accidents do happen and results are not guaranteed about most things, so in a way, we are at their mercy. We do not have to have the fear of accidents or circumstances rule our live and work. If we wait for everything to be perfect before going forward, we would never go forward. If we want the answers before the action, we will be totally inactive. If we want to be in a perfect assembly, we will never be in one. If we want everyone to be as perfect as we think we are, we would all be dead and buried before that happens. If we want everything to be perfectly in order before we step ahead for God, we will never be used by God. Perfect conditions don’t exist in an imperfect world.
If we focus on things that might go wrong, we will fall into the trap of the “paralysis of analysis.” Common sense and a commitment to work is what we can do. We can’t predict or guarantee results. God knows how things work because He made them. He knows and controls the ways of the wind. He has arranged by His infinite wisdom how the bone structure of a baby forms with each one coordinated and in harmony whether the bone is large or small. The hip bone grows differently than the small bones in the ear, but each one forms in the way and time frame God has arranged. So, we are able to do what we can in the best way we can, and then we leave the results with God.
Our responsibility is to put our “hand to the plow” and not look back. By just going to work for the Lord in way He opens before us, is the best we can do. We are not out of place when we love life and light, and enjoy them to the fullest extent we can as children of God. But we can’t presume to hold on to everything with a tight fist, because the days of darkness are coming. Our life span is not guaranteed as to its length. Take a long view, and look ahead into eternity. Look at life and light from God’s perspective, and then go ahead and enjoy every day, or a whole lot of days, even though we are aging.
Take advantage of every opportunity while you are young, but keep a balance in your life. God is going to judge everything – good and bad. Use what God has given in whatever way you can use them best, and use them to fulfill the will of God for you during your life here. That will give direction to your life, and you will be able to see things as God sees them. Be a realistic person. Anything in your life that is evil, banish it. Don’t focus on the negative and bad things. That will blind you to what is good and right. Live knowing that life is short, and at the same time remember we will live with our Lord and serve Him forever. Don’t focus on death and old age. Commit yourself to living a godly life now and right through your adult years.