Striving after the wind...

As we read in Ecclesiastes tonight I had to stop and ask myself, Am I striving after the wind? Over and over again Ecclesiastes tells us that trying to do things our way and trying to fill God’s place in our lives with something of our own choosing, is like striving after the wind.

I think a lot of times I start off with my focus on God and it seems to quickly change to what does he want me to do. Does that make sense? So rather than saying God lead me and use me I am saying where does God want to use me, and not actually looking to him for the answer. Hopefully that makes sense :)

Anyways I don't want to be taking Gods place in my life or putting something else there which I tend to do and then thankfully it's as if God is snapping saying Hello I'm over here, you're not going to get anywhere worthwhile until you put your focus back on me. And it's true! I am so thankful that he always directs my focus back to him, and usually quickly, but I don't want to lose focus in the first place!

I like to look at the future, and have a plan. My mind set is, once you get here it's going to be easier...but that isn't true. Ecclesiastes talks about living in the now, and finding joy in it. It also says "enjoy your youth" and to "walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes." It is always important to look around verses, the verse goes on to say, "But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement." So in other words...Follow your heart...but your heart needs to be following God.

Gods intention is for us to enjoy life! So that's what I will do! I'll keep fixing my eyes back on him no matter how many times I have to do it, and stay humble. I don't deserve Gods mercy, and I never want to think that I am deserving or that I can do this on my own. Thank you God for your grace!

The book ends with this...

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

I want to follow God and I believe that as I follow him I will find joy in the now!

It’s so easy to forget

 that your mercy has redeemed us

 In the midst of all of this 

how could I believe 

that I am one bit deserving.

 ...

 I fix my eyes upon your cross 

I stand in amazement of your mercy that is 

new every morning

 that covers me 

and its all I need

 I'm so undeserving

...

Sometimes I get so caught up in this life 

and the lie that I can save myself

 and I get nowhere 

and I can’t see you

 but I want to

...

So I fix my eyes upon your cross 

I stand in amazement of your mercy that is

new every morning

 that covers me 

and its all I need

 I'm so undeserving

...

I don’t want to fall away

 I don’t wanna believe that I can measure up to you

 the only way that I am saved

 is through grace alone

 and I put my faith in you 

I put my faith in you

 I am so undeserving 

I’m so undeserving

 of your love

 and your mercy 

and your grace 

I’m so undeserving 

so undeserving 

...

 I fix my eyes upon your cross 

I stand in amazement of your mercy that is

new every morning

 that covers me 

and its all I need

 I'm so undeserving