Ok Ladies-Ecclesiastes is one of the most challenging books to read because it is written in a literary language full of allegories. I did a little research to help us and I threw in some of my personal examples of how these scriptures apply to my coach. I encourage you to read all the way to end. I also encourage you to read the entire book.
Grab your favorite drink and let’s dive in:
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:
1. We must know that we are God’s property. We came from Him and we are here because of Him. The earlier we all come to the knowledge of these truths, life is seen and viewed from a very different perspective. I pray this scripture encourages you to share God with your kids early in their life.
Ecclesiastes 12:2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
2. Youth is typically the time when all of your senses are the sharpest. These words describe failing senses.
Last year my coach had to purchase reading glasses a few days before Christmas because he couldn't see the instructions to put together the kids' Christmas toys. It dawned on me that he is only a few years from 50 and his senses are starting to decline. Have you seen any of these changes yet?
Ecclesiastes 12:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall
bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
3. When your later years of your life start to show in your arms, legs, mouth and eyes. Does your coach's body look the same way it did when he was a player?
How long has he been in this profession? Did he play college or in a professional league? Have you seen him adjust his coaching style because his body isn’t the same? I have and I’m sure my husband’s 70 plus year old NFL coach has changed his style too. We saw him on TV a few weeks ago still going strong as a coach in the League.
Ecclesiastes 12:4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
4. I don’t know about your coach but my coach is a man of few words. I call it the Sports Center Cliff Notes speaking style. Now if the doors on his mouth shut anymore I’m not sure we would communicate at all. And the light sleeping is already evident. I can’t tell if this is because of how few hours he gets to sleep or if age is catching up to him in this area too. But I awake many nights to find him up and pondering his playbook or thinking about the next day's task.
Ecclesiastes 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goes to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
5. As we age we tend to not be so sure of ourselves and new fears creep up on us that we didn’t realize we had. Our hair changes color and we find ourselves trying to maintain a youthful appearance because time is showing and sadly our sexual appetite also fades.
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit return unto God who gave it.
6. Descriptions of how quickly life comes to an end at the appointed time. How shall we be determined to live because no man knows their hour?
Ecclesiastes 12: 8-9 VANITY OF VANITIES, SAITH THE PREACHER, ALL IS VANITY. And moreover because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge, yea, he gave a good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
7. King Solomon (The Preacher) is speaking of how much life is full of nothingness and mortal things ( or piles of ashes).
We don’t find the truest meaning of life unless we come into the knowledge of our Maker and we truly treasure His wisdom (the Bible).
Ecclesiastes 12: 10-14 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from ONE SHEPHERD. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ladies-Ecclesiastes is full of metaphors, we conquered an entire chapter together! (Whoosh)
I believe we find the truest meaning of life in what the “Preacher” is saying in these last few words (vs 10-14)
If you read this entire book you will see that King Solomon had everything life could offer and yet he came to an astounding conclusion; that life isn’t much about what we’ve amassed, obtained or accomplished. No-that is not its truest meaning, instead it is about knowing where you came from, why He sent you here and how you finish the job He sent you here to do for Him.
(ALL OF LIFE'S ANSWERS ARE FOUND IN THIS BOOK, THE BIBLE and our Great Shepherd (Jesus) is always ready to help us understand.)
I tell my children there are only 2 things you can take with you from this life: people and God.
Last, this is one of my favorite quotes:
"Life is about people, not rings, rings collect dust" Coach Mark RichtFather, I pray these ladies are aware of these truths. I pray they get what life is really about. I pray they know it is not in the wins, championships, fame, Big 5 schools, notoriety, money, mansions, fancy clothes, handbags, minks and furs. I pray they get the assignment you have given to each one of us and they are not chasing after the wind. I pray they will keep reading your word Jesus so that they will know your will for their lives. In Your Name I pray, Amen
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