One of the assets that has been given to us once we were born is TIME. Same things, yet viewed so differently by each individual. I bet both scientist and philosophers alike have been constantly finding explanations to define the mechanics of time. Hence the age old question, are we moving forward with respect to time, or is time just going in circles. Well, on one hand, we could say it’s moving forward, the way we evolve as an individual, we learn, we grow. However, after December comes January, seasons repeats itself…so how does time play its part.
The book of Ecclesiastes talks a little about time. In chapter 3, we can clearly see how the author of the book appreciates the role of time. However in chapter 1 the author start with puzzling words “Meaningless! Meaningless!”. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” The chapter proceed to talk about how everything in life is periodic. Chapter two then talks about how effort is meaningless. You see, in that sense, time really just goes around in circles. Life really is frustrating. As a student, life really is about routine. But it gets worse once you’ve entered the workforce, everyday, you work because you need to put food on the table, pay the bills, and once you get your paycheck, it still doesn’t stop there, because you will still need to eat, and the bills will still come in. It’s really frustrating. The current workforce work, but will be replace by the next generation. We work hard to build up something, only for someone else to take it over, with or without caliber.
Hence we come back to chapter 3, and we can really see how time really just goes in circles, because in life, we will not only know love, we will know hate. We will not only know peace, we will know war. We don’t escape any of these, all of these will come to pass. In fact, we aren't really moving forward at all. The author even goes as far as to say that men and animals share the same fate. “all from dust, and to dust all return.” This is where the conclusion was drawn. Life is really what you make of it, so enjoy it while it last.
Remember that Ecclesiastes simply means wisdom. It’s kind of odd isn’t it, the bible telling us that life is meaningless, and life is really what you make of it. But turn to John 5:24-25. Verse 25 “I tell you the truth, a time is coming AND HAS NOW COME when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
You see, life really is what you make of it. However, Jesus offers us a way to break from that cycle, because his time has already come. So what are you going to make of life??
Inspired by a sermon in UniChurch
The book of Ecclesiastes talks a little about time. In chapter 3, we can clearly see how the author of the book appreciates the role of time. However in chapter 1 the author start with puzzling words “Meaningless! Meaningless!”. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” The chapter proceed to talk about how everything in life is periodic. Chapter two then talks about how effort is meaningless. You see, in that sense, time really just goes around in circles. Life really is frustrating. As a student, life really is about routine. But it gets worse once you’ve entered the workforce, everyday, you work because you need to put food on the table, pay the bills, and once you get your paycheck, it still doesn’t stop there, because you will still need to eat, and the bills will still come in. It’s really frustrating. The current workforce work, but will be replace by the next generation. We work hard to build up something, only for someone else to take it over, with or without caliber.
Hence we come back to chapter 3, and we can really see how time really just goes in circles, because in life, we will not only know love, we will know hate. We will not only know peace, we will know war. We don’t escape any of these, all of these will come to pass. In fact, we aren't really moving forward at all. The author even goes as far as to say that men and animals share the same fate. “all from dust, and to dust all return.” This is where the conclusion was drawn. Life is really what you make of it, so enjoy it while it last.
Remember that Ecclesiastes simply means wisdom. It’s kind of odd isn’t it, the bible telling us that life is meaningless, and life is really what you make of it. But turn to John 5:24-25. Verse 25 “I tell you the truth, a time is coming AND HAS NOW COME when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
You see, life really is what you make of it. However, Jesus offers us a way to break from that cycle, because his time has already come. So what are you going to make of life??
Inspired by a sermon in UniChurch
2 comments:
Gosh, Paul-ur so good at verbalising thought into words. I wish i can do that! I have the same view as you-it's stuck in me for aages! thanks for putting these clouds of thoughts into eternal lines!
Thought provoking ! Reading Ecclesiastes can be depressing sometimes. It makes you wonder what the whole point of living. Afterall, there is nothing new under the sun. But Solomon said in his finale : Fear God and keep His commendmants; for this is the whole duty of man.
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