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PGA Chaplain Bible StudiesWeekly Study No 20 - 11/08/2009 Ecclesiastes Ch 6:7-12 “All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. What advantage has the wise man over the fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he. The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? For who knows what is good for a man during his life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone.” (Ecclesiastes Chapter 6: verses 7 to 12 NIV). Time to Settle Down!I believe that there is uneasiness about life in the hearts of us all that our author alludes to in our reading this week. It’s been expressed in a number of ways in recent readings; our appetite never being satisfied, not being able to get ahead in life, injustice happening, other people benefiting from our hard work, boredom with the familiar, the certainty of death and so on. If there is ever a sport that causes uneasiness and can rip your heart out, it is golf. You listen to a serious golfer after a good round and she or he will tell you about how the round could have been better. Never satisfied! After a poor round, the problem could be the weather, the condition of the course, your playing partners or yourself, but usually there is some uneasiness expressed. This is our lot in life and in the game we love so much. Human beings like me and you are prone to addiction because of this uneasiness. It might be food, sex, alcohol, drugs, smoking, work, laziness, TV or anything. We do these things to help us cope with the frustrations, monotony and the shortcomings of life, but they never really satisfy our deepest longings. While the sentiments of our author leave us somewhat pessimistic about life, his conclusion in Chapter 12 verse 13 is worth considering. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments.” At the end of the day, you need to find a place of rest, a place where your soul can be renewed, a place of understanding about life and its challenges. Jesus came for this very purpose, to address our deepest longings and give help. Jesus shows us to way to life; back to our creator and the one who gives life its ultimate meaning. Jesus said these words: “Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew Chapter 11 verses 28 to 30 NIV). This very earthy life will leave us uneasy about what is our lot in life, but Jesus points us to our creator and to a fuller life where we can find rest and peace for our souls. If you have not experienced this, then I encourage you to reach out to him today. Prayer. Creator God, thank you that you along give us a resting place with Jesus that is full of life. Amen
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