Today, I want to point out a passage of scripture that could go easily overlooked – but is important as it addresses the importance of our time, and serving God now rather than later.
While you read ask yourself:
- Am I living for God today, or postponing commitment?
- Do you value where you are in life? Or are you always looking back/ahead wishing for something else?
- What does God think about us enjoying life?
So here it is, Ecclesiastes 11:7 -12:7Ecclesiastes 11:7 -12:7
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Youth and Old Age
7 Nothing on earth is more beautiful than the morning sun.
8 Even if you live to a ripe old age, you should try to enjoy each day, because darkness will come and will last a long time. Nothing makes sense. b Nothing makes sense: Or “There's nothing to look forward to!”
9 Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young! Do what you want and find pleasure in what you see. But don't forget that God will judge you for everything you do.
10 Rid yourself of all worry and pain, because the wonderful moments of youth quickly disappear.
12
1 Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don't enjoy life anymore.”
2 Someday the light of the sun
and the moon and the stars
will all seem dim to you.
Rain clouds will remain
over your head.
3 Your body will grow feeble,
your teeth will decay,
and your eyesight fail.
4 The noisy grinding of grain
will be shut out
by your deaf ears,
but even the song of a bird
will keep you awake.
5 You will be afraid
to climb up a hill
or walk down a road.
Your hair will turn as white
as almond blossoms.
You will feel lifeless
and drag along
like an old grasshopper.
We each go to our eternal home,
and the streets are filled
with those who mourn.
6 The silver cord snaps,
the golden bowl breaks;
the water pitcher is smashed,
and the pulley at the well
is shattered.
7 So our bodies return
to the earth,
and the life-giving breath c life-giving breath: Or “spirit.”
returns to God.
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Light is sweet; it’s wonderful to see the sun! When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember that the dark days will be many. Everything still to come is meaningless.
Young man, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it! Do every thing you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, still faces the threat of meaninglessness.
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work, and you will be blind, too. And when your teeth are gone, keep your lips tightly closed when you eat! Even the chirping of birds will wake you up. But you yourself will be deaf and tuneless, with a quavering voice. You will be afraid of heights and falling, white-haired and withered, dragging along without any sexual desire. You will be standing at death’s door. And as you near your everlasting home, the mourners will walk along the streets.
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:7Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:7
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Youth and Old Age 7 Nothing on earth is more beautiful than the morning sun. 8 Even if you live to a ripe old age, you should try to enjoy each day, because darkness will come and will last a long time. Nothing makes sense. b Nothing makes sense: Or “There's nothing to look forward to!” 9 Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young! Do what you want and find pleasure in what you see. But don't forget that God will judge you for everything you do. 10 Rid yourself of all worry and pain, because the wonderful moments of youth quickly disappear. 12 1 Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don't enjoy life anymore.” 2 Someday the light of the sun and the moon and the stars will all seem dim to you. Rain clouds will remain over your head. 3 Your body will grow feeble, your teeth will decay, and your eyesight fail. 4 The noisy grinding of grain will be shut out by your deaf ears, but even the song of a bird will keep you awake. 5 You will be afraid to climb up a hill or walk down a road. Your hair will turn as white as almond blossoms. You will feel lifeless and drag along like an old grasshopper. We each go to our eternal home, and the streets are filled with those who mourn. 6 The silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks; the water pitcher is smashed, and the pulley at the well is shattered. 7 So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath c life-giving breath: Or “spirit.” returns to God.
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