The Wise Teacher and author of the book of Ecclesiastes made this conclusion near the end of his writings. These are his observations and advice for the young and the old. Again he speaks of living life with a dual lens – looking from both sides of the coin – in youth and in old age.
For someone like me, who is at midlife, this is helpful and relevant. Age, while absolute in value, is just a number relative to those before and those after. Even as I am not a youth, I am younger than many around me. In the eyes of the older generation – like friends and peers of my parents, I am young.
What does the teacher say to the young? and even for the old – those who live many years, we need to rejoice in the light -to be able to see clearly – to enjoy days of sunshine. YET, do not forget there will darkness as well. vv 7-8.
1) Rejoice in youth: How?
1.1. pursue your dreams and passion – the desires of your heart and delights of your eyes.
1.2. BUT Remember you will be held accountable to God for all that you do. v.9
1.3. put away anxiety from mind and pain from body – why? because age is just a number – the young becomes old – all is vanity – nothing permanent. v.10
2) Remember your Creator in the days of your youth (12:1) This is a verse i was taught to memorise when i was young. It is a very long sentence. It is 7 verses long. When are we to remember God? It is not a number … it does not say we are to remember God before we reach 30 years old. It is a coverage of events – of kairos (events) time than chronos time (number).
We are to remember God before troubles come upon us.. the perils of ageing: when we no longer find pleasure in the things we used to enjoy when we were young; when the sun and the moon no longer seem bright and dreamy; when strength of youth has left us; when eyes are dim; when work has ceased to be fruitful or meaningful; when one feels insecure and unsure of one’s worth and usefulness; when one is about to breath his last; when one is near death… What use and what a waste of life – to remember God on our death bed?!
Read for yourself words of wisdom how to live out your youth and your old age… while you can still enjoy life in the sun.. see and remember…
Ecclesiastes 11
7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8 Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all; yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
9 Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10 Banish anxiety from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12
1 Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return with the rain; 3 in the day when the guards of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the women who grind cease working because they are few, and those who look through the windows see dimly; 4 when the doors on the street are shut, and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low; 5 when one is afraid of heights, and terrors are in the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails; because all must go to their eternal home, and the mourners will go about the streets; 6 before the silver cord is snapped, and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher; all is vanity.
Where are you in life now, my friend? It is not too late. If you still can read God’s Word, you still have time… time to remember.. time to reflect.. time to relive and revive your memories of the grace of God upon you…
Today is the day.. remember and be grateful for the life that you have.
