The Vacuity of Life - Precisely who or what is is all for?

Sitting on a park bench I delve into the mysteries of Qohelet’s1 scribbles. I’m trying to be on my guard against cynicism but I find that I relate to these words much more than I’ve ever done before.

For the first time ever I can relate to the sense of the vacuous expressed in his literary ramblings. I know that all that glitters is not gold. I live it.

But ‘[God] has set eternity in the hearts of men’ and all is not lost. Living post-Messiah we see a bit more what this eternity looks like. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’2

But the old order of things has not yet passed away. Living in the gap - the now but not yet - we feel the tension. We know a little of how things will operate in this new heaven and new earth, and we can operate in its values now. Because we know He will wipe every tear from their eyes, we can wipe tears from peoples’ eyes. Because we know there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain we do all we can to make sure there is no death or mourning or crying or pain. We have a purpose, one that fits into eternity.

And for the first time in a long time, I know hope.

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1 The canonical book of Ecclesiastes, written by Qohelet, or ‘teacher’.
2 Revelation 21:4

The Way Forward?

Okay, so I'm toying with the idea of starting a blog/using this blog to work out fictionally all the thoughts passing through my head as I study theology. I'm envisioning little 'episodes' that give me the chance to process, document and express what's going on in my little brain, and have some fun while doing it. Watch this space.

Confessions of a Girl from the Pit

I'm so sorry, it's become all about me;
Some assumed retribution for my years in the pit.
But what was meant for evil You worked for good.
I'm starting to see it, even now.

It's not about me -
The pit from which I've emerged doesn't owe me a thing,
All that's owed is praise to You,
I've got a new song to sing.

Let praise ring from my every breath,
Breath you bring faithfully until you decided otherwise,
I can live with that but not with the lies
That try to tear, and cloud and divide,

So come and clear the sleep from my eyes,
I admit I've used excuses
But now you've set my feet on solid ground.
There's only one confession left:

On Christ this solid rock we will stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Attack of the Butterflies

This evening would have been much more productive had I not had to take so many trips to the toilet. (Starting to get nervous about starting college on Monday).

The Last Test

I've got less than 2 months left in Swansea and I'm beginning to realise they won't be a walk in the park. There have been up and downs and painful lessons, and despite the fact there's only 7 weeks to go... the fun doesn't stop!

My biggest challenge right now is my work ethic: my self-discipline, and my ability to just press on and keep writing even though I am bored out of my skull.

I'm CERTAIN that this is an important grounding for my next 3 years at theological college. (Please don't misunderstand me and think I'm suggesting the work will bore me out of skull.) God hasn't eased off because this chapter is coming to a close; He's still got things to teach me, still got plans to refine me, and still got ways to prepare me.

I'm glad. I'm glad God promised to continue to do good in us, and that He's committed to seeing us grow.

I would love it if you'd stand alongside me in my 'last test': keep me accountable for the time I spend working, and pray for me as I try to stay focussed and work my butt off. Thank you.

The Last Test, c'mon...

"Well at least you can write about it on your blog,"

my Dad said, having told me I've got a speeding ticket.

Gutted.