Echoes From the Campfire

[Don Adkisson]

      “Seems to me as though day-to-day events often have a tendency to simply lie in wait for our unknowing, blind arrival, ready to pounce on us like wild, stalking animals.”

                         --J. Lee Butts  (Gun Works)

       "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."

                         --Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)
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I've been gleaning through Ecclesiastes and sharing some of what I found.  Today, I want to look at Ecclesiastes 3:9-11.  Now hold on, Ecclesiastes is like the Book of Job, you've got to hang on when you read it.  It speaks of life.  In fact, to properly read Ecclesiastes you must read the whole book first then go back and dissect it.  

            9 -- What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?
           10 -- I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.
           11 -- He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. (NKJV)

These few verses contain a wealth of information.  Look at the first, What is the profit in life?  What is the purpose in life?  I will say it again, Life is living.  But the question is living for what, living for whom?  Life in itself is a mystery as we try to figure out what we are to be doing.  I always refer to the Shorter Westminster Catechism, "Glorify God and enjoy Him forever," but in what way do we glorify Him?  That is part of the mystery.  We walk through this life with maybe a plan or a goal, but then something happens--then what?  The plan is torn asunder, the goal is smashed.  If we know how to glorify God in all circumstances we can overcome these adversities; if not bitterness, anger, hatred, and depression can appear.
       In life there is beauty to admire, there is work to do, and there is good in which to participate.  Know this--"All life unfolds under the appointment of Providence." (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.).  God is in charge, He is in control.  There is an eternal plan that He is working out.  This is part of the mystery of life, understanding where each of us fit into that plan.  God is not a manipulator, but He brings all things together to accomplish His plan.
       Paul writes, "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." (Romans 8:28, Amplified)  Where are you in the plan?  Can you accept a set-back knowing that God is with you and will eventually bring good out of it?  Hard questions to answer, but we should be living such a life that we can completely trust God.  I read the other day on a blog where a person was facing several tragedies and said that they were "angry at God."  Did God bring the tragedy?  No.  Could God have stopped it?  Yes, if it was in His eternal plan, but He might have something better in store.
       One thing I have never heard come up in a discussion with an evolutionist is their explanation of eternity.  If evolution is true, then how does one explain life with God in heaven, will man then continue to evolve?  We are made for God and to live with Him throughout eternity.  Time will one day cease and then what happens to the evolutionist?  When time ceases there will only be eternity.
       Don't be afraid of venturing through this life with God.  He has blessings in every situation if we look hard enough.  He has even more blessings for us in heaven.  The journey may have obstacles that you do not like, nor expected to encounter, but remember God is leading and He knows.  C.S. Lewis said, "Our Heavenly Father has provided many delightful inns for us along our journey, but He takes great care to see that we do not mistake any of them for home."  Rest awhile at one of these "inns."  But understand that in the morning the journey begins anew.  God is with you, He is holding you.  Think of this analogy.  A little child in the arms of his father is unaware of many things that his father has learned.
       Let us delight in the labor that is before us for the journey will not always be easy.  The task that the Lord has given us might take real effort.  We cannot see into the future, but we can rest assured that God is already there and is with us TODAY, and will be with us tomorrow.  Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth, "At present we are men looking at puzzling reflections in a mirror.  The time will come when we shall see reality whole and face to face!  At present all I know is a little fraction of the truth, but the time will come when I shall know it as fully as God now knows me!"  (1 Corinthians 13:12, Phillips).

D.C. Adkisson