Ecclesiastes 6:9 (KJV) Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
About a week ago, the phrase "wandering of the desire" seemed to jump out at me as I pondered the words I had just read. When our desires begin to wander, it is what the Bible calls "vanity" and " vexation of spirit." I started looking at some other translations of this verse, and here is one that I want to share:
"Better is the sight of the eyes [the enjoyment of what is available to one] than the cravings of wandering desire. This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility) and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it!"
A wandering desire seems to indicate discontentment. What does it mean to wander?
When our desires wander around, wanting this and wanting that - failing to take hold of today and make today count - this produces vanity and vexation of spirit. Today is the tomorrow we walked about yesterday! The "right now" is what we once looked to as the future. Taking hold of the opportunities that God has placed in front of us today is so important, and what we do with today will determine tomorrow. Some people are so impatient and only reaching to the future, that their future never really comes as it ought to, because they never did anything with their present. Don't neglect the present task! There will be times of tests. There will be times to wait - the "in between times," as I heard one preacher put it several years ago. Don't get me wrong, because I don't mean it's a bad thing to look to the future and have a vision for the future; That's important! It's when we neglect the present and let our desires wander places they shouldn't be, or places they shouldn't be yet, that things get dangerous and precious time is wasted.
Paul said that "godliness with contentment is great gain." (I Timothy 6:6)
This doesn't mean to be comfortable or content in a lukewarm sort of way, but it means that even when there are things we desire to see happen or take place, we can be content with where God has placed us today. I encourage you to be content with where God has currently placed you and the tasks He has currently assigned to you! Do it with all your heart unto Him, and know that He will lead and guide you and unfold the rose as it pleases Him. Let it be our prayer that our desires wander not.
About a week ago, the phrase "wandering of the desire" seemed to jump out at me as I pondered the words I had just read. When our desires begin to wander, it is what the Bible calls "vanity" and " vexation of spirit." I started looking at some other translations of this verse, and here is one that I want to share:
"Better is the sight of the eyes [the enjoyment of what is available to one] than the cravings of wandering desire. This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility) and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it!"
A wandering desire seems to indicate discontentment. What does it mean to wander?
1. to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander.
2. to extend in an irregular course or direction.
People that wander normally get lost!!
When our desires wander around, wanting this and wanting that - failing to take hold of today and make today count - this produces vanity and vexation of spirit. Today is the tomorrow we walked about yesterday! The "right now" is what we once looked to as the future. Taking hold of the opportunities that God has placed in front of us today is so important, and what we do with today will determine tomorrow. Some people are so impatient and only reaching to the future, that their future never really comes as it ought to, because they never did anything with their present. Don't neglect the present task! There will be times of tests. There will be times to wait - the "in between times," as I heard one preacher put it several years ago. Don't get me wrong, because I don't mean it's a bad thing to look to the future and have a vision for the future; That's important! It's when we neglect the present and let our desires wander places they shouldn't be, or places they shouldn't be yet, that things get dangerous and precious time is wasted.
Paul said that "godliness with contentment is great gain." (I Timothy 6:6)
This doesn't mean to be comfortable or content in a lukewarm sort of way, but it means that even when there are things we desire to see happen or take place, we can be content with where God has placed us today. I encourage you to be content with where God has currently placed you and the tasks He has currently assigned to you! Do it with all your heart unto Him, and know that He will lead and guide you and unfold the rose as it pleases Him. Let it be our prayer that our desires wander not.
8 comments:
But I don't want to focus on my present situation of having to do my homework :( I rather wander in the blog world.
I'm kidding (well not really)
BUT, this was a good post kindred.
lolol!! Hopefully you don't fail your class then. ;)
Thanks!
When are you gonna blog about your youth rally thing a ma bob???
Ecclesiastes :)
Mary - I don't know if I will! lol
Anonymous - Thanks!! I fixed it. And that was weird, because I totally thought I copied and pasted from eSword! Go figure. Next time sign your name. :)
Jennifer,
That is a great post! Thanks!
Dad
Aww, thanks Dad. Love you!
Wow..just wow.. if thats not a word from God i dont know what is. sometimes i feel like this and i have to remember that what God has for my future will come to pass in HIS TIME not mine. and sometimes i get in a hurry.thank you for this it came at a good time for me.
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