Ecclesiastes 11:3  – “…if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of “Life Lived” filled my thoughts.    Pilate said about the inscription he had placed over the Cross of Jesus, “What I have written, I have written.”  

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 11:3, “…if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”   Life lived can’t be unlived.   Once life is lived, that defines its eternity.  Changes must be made NOW!

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, Solomon offered a powerful revelation we all need.  The race is not to the swift.  Although the speedy in a natural competition do win, in the race of life, just going fast does not equate to victory.   In nature, in the spiritual realm, and in life, the strongest do not always win the battle.  Timing, planning, strategy, and opportunity are mitigating factors.

He concluded, saying, “…because time and chance happen to them all.” Does God’s plan depend on random chance?   Heaven forbid!   The word time (Hebrew) is season.  The Hebrew word translated as “chance” is actually used in 1 Kings 5:4 to mean “misfortune.”    Seasons of life come to all.   Misfortune is a common occurrence in life.  We get one chance, in the sense of one lifetime, to get things right.

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:10 – “Be diligent; for through your good deeds, you make your calling and election sure; and when you do these things, you shall never fall.” What things?

Go back to verses 2-9.   It is knowing Jesus intimately.  It is the precious promises that enable us to partake of His divine nature, escaping corruption.   It is faith that perseveres with virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Agape.  It is full surrender to God.   

Ecclesiastes 11:10 – “Therefore remove (something we do) anger from your heart…”    How?   Replace thoughts focused on self with thoughts focused on God and His Kingdom.  “…AND, put away evil from your flesh…”

Lest anyone think I mean willpower, I mean “grace” acted on.  Demonstrated grace through right actions enables us to be clouds full of rain rather than rainless clouds.  It enables us to maintain integrity and even have lost integrity restored through repentance and diligent pursuit of righteousness.

We can help each other.   If we love, we seek restoration, not exposure.  If we love, we forgive rather than judge condemningly.   Our goal is peace with all and to be found “without spot or blemish.” 2 Peter 3:14.

Life is lived, and the way it ends defines its eternity.  We have the grace to live, the grace to forgive, and the grace to rebuild.  We are our brother’s keeper and cells in the body.  Life is more than what we do or who we are.  It is also the outflow to other members of the body.  Life is for living, and living is for life!  Let Jesus live His life in us, through us, and by us.  What is your life?

May the Lord bless and keep you is my prayer!