Life is a gift, life is limited

As I’m writing this article, today is election day. It’s still dark outside. In Big Lake it’s a balmy 8 degrees! My wife and I need to vote today. Hopefully the lines won’t be too long. No one knows how the election will turn out. The polls predict Biden. The rallies and enthusiasm point to Trump. It will be an interesting day.

As I contemplate the day ahead, a good Book to meditate on is Ecclesiastes. Solomon probably wrote Song of Solomon as a young man. Most likely he wrote Proverbs in middle age. As an older man he wrote Ecclesiastes. Solomon found the secret to life! He gives great wisdom for life. Ecclesiastes teaches two great truths….

First, life is a gift. Solomon said, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil” (2:24). Chapter 11 verse 7 says, “Light is sweet and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.” Verse 9 says, “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes.”

Life is a gift. This is a great country. It is our privilege to vote and elect our leaders. Over and over again Solomon pointed out that life is a gift. Life is precious. Life is to be enjoyed. This is a great day! The heavens declare the glory of God. The earth shows His handiwork. We live in a great state.

Second, life is limited. Life is a gift but we live in a fallen world. Solomon said, “I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool?” (2:18-19). A person builds a business, dies and leaves it to someone else. The new owner can make wise choices or foolish choices. Life is limited.

Death is inevitable. Chapter 11 verse 8 says, “So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.” Eventually old age and death come.

This world God has given is wonderful but as believers we look to a much better place.” We look to a city that has foundations whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). We focus on the New Jerusalem- not Washington, DC. We long for the Lord Jesus- not an earthly president.

Solomon ends his book by giving two profound pieces of advice. No matter the results of the election we must respond in two ways. Solomon says, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (11:1). We are commanded to take risks. Casting bread upon the water is a picture of launching a ship. Launching a ship to buy and sell does not guarantee a profit. However, failing to launch the ship and take risks guarantees there will be no profit.

No matter the result of the election we must move forward. We have to keep taking risks. We have to launch the ship. Life is uncertain but we must not stop.

William H. Seward took a risk. He signed a treaty with Russia to purchase Alaska for $7 million. He paid the bargain price of 2 cents an acre. The purchase was ridiculed in Congress as “Seward’s folly” and “Seward’s icebox” and President Johnson’s “polar bear garden.” Seward saw the potential of Alaska. Alaska is one fifth the size of the continental United States. The treaty was ratified in 1867. The discovery of gold in 1898 cemented the wisdom of the purchase. Alaska has paid rich dividends to the United States ever since.

Solomon also said, “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth” (11:2). Solomon taught the importance of diversification. The richest man who ever lived said, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” No one knows the future. We must diversify. We must be flexible.

Hopefully we will know the results of the election soon. No matter the result, life is a gift but life is limited. We live this side of eternity. Jesus died that we might enjoy heaven with Him. His death, burial and resurrection rescue every believer from this life to a much better life.

As we live our days, life is a gift. It is a privilege to be alive. Life is limited. We live in a fallen world. Let’s take risks and move forward. Let’s diversify and trust God to bless.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.