Ecclesiastes...Pastor Phil Strong

Part 6

3-6-11

Read random verses and Eccl. 12:13-14

            Perhaps this return to the epilogue is indicative of my propensity to “fast-forward” when the part of the book that I am currently considering seems a bit unsettling; seems to lack direction and fails to lead toward some conclusion: Will the story-line “pick up”? Will the author finally “adjust his meds”, or will he remain in this funk throughout?

Interestingly, the epilogue doesn’t even seem to offer us the, “And they all lived happily ever after” conclusion that we might expect to find.

● The more we return to this passage, the more it brings clarity to Solomon’s message. This epilogue is not offered as a, “Well, this is as good as it gets”, type of declaration, but a narrowing; a summary which offers us the direction and clarity that our hearts are longing for: an exposure of all the illusory pursuits of life independent of God.

● I have been reminded as I perused the book of Ecclesiastes that all that I consider “painful” and all that I would identify as “adverse” in my life; all that frustrates me and prevents me from realizing a sense of fulfillment is really the experience of all that my heart longs for… all that I was created for. It exposes, in often very subtle ways, what I believe to be true about those experiences as I see myself responding.

And, if I am to be content, I must realize that the path to contentment must run directly “through”, and not “around” the ache in my heart; it must address the “eternity in my heart”.

Have you noticed that even when things are so evidently unmanageable, we still hold onto the illusion of control?

We try to compensate for our lack of control with a flurry of meaningless activity. At least it allows us to feel better about ourselves. Even though none of our actions are proving to be of any consequence, anything else feels like concession.

Life always requires a response from us and surrender is the response that initiates the life-long journey of transformation--- growing into who you are in God.

[“submit" means ‘to voluntarily cooperate with the will of another’.]

The story of God offers no way for humanity to approach God which does not involve submission.

But, submission is not our default mode… management is.

It doesn’t even require conscious thought (don’t even notice we’re doing it); it’s a reaction to a life which appears to be slipping from our grasp.

At this point, we must regain control. Nothing is sacred (no opportunity to notice God); nothing or no one can be enjoyed, only monitored so that thing’s don’t get “out of hand” (interesting figure of speech).

Surrender is not simply “indecisiveness”; in fact, it’s the toughest decision we will ever make.

This realization strangely creates, not only the potential to experience grace, but the tendency to hold even more stubbornly to my own devices!

Surrender allows you to realize a power/strength that you simply will never experience any other way; it’s the one decision which makes us available to (not available to us) to the tireless movement of God toward and in us: in a word…“grace”.

James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” [or, “God has nothing to offer those who think they can do life without him” Strong’s version!]

Grace is the aggressive, relentless, yet respectful movement of God toward us and in us. Yet, there is always a mutuality to grace: God’s invitation and my participation; an offer and a response; a receiving what’s being given.

The beauty of surrender is that it doesn’t require a great deal of clarity, only trust.

            We assume that the likely outcome of surrender will be “fear” (having lost control), when in reality it is “peace”: the settled-confidence which comes as a result of not having to attempt to micro-manage your life and ensure that things work out the way that you had planned. We realize that predictability is no longer a pre-requisite for peace.

“Do you know why I pulled you over?” (Is there any greater dilemma which faces humankind?)

It seems that our only options are self-incrimination or judgment. What a wonderful opportunity for humility and submission (and perhaps mercy!)

Understand that submission that involves a lot of “terms” is merely negotiation.

● In a “negotiated surrender”, each party makes some concessions and each party is determined to walk away having at least some of their demands met.

Submission requires that we come to God with no agenda other than knowing him, receiving and learning life from him.

I’m convinced that the absolute key to submission is the conviction that God would never put my heart at risk.

You never have to fear committing yourself to someone who has so consistently and so profoundly

evidenced their willingness to seek your ultimate best.

● He knows that during such seasons, we are most fragile; most vulnerable: he knows we are “dust” (Psalm 103), the Psalmist says (not making excuses, but allowances).

Romans 8:31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

● It’s as if Jesus is saying, “If you really knew me, you would be less hesitant to trust my love.”

Surrender is paradoxical: it seemingly requires nothing of us, but demands all.

                Doesn’t it seem that, in the story, God doesn’t feel compelled to spend a great deal of time trying to explain himself or defend his actions, but he does seem to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to convince us that we are loved?