[APRIL 3] Longing for Spring

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

"Nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives."

--Ecclesiastes 3:12

It's been a long, cold winter, and I am eager for warm weather. I'm tired of seeing bare trees and lifeless brown leaves covering the ground. I long to see wildflowers poke though the dead leaves and to watch the woods turn green once more.

Yet even as I anticipate my favorite season, I hear my mother's voice saying, "Don't wish your life away."

If you're like me, you sometimes hear yourself saying, "When such and such happens, then I will... or, If only so and so would do this, then I would do that... or, I would be happy if... or, I will be satisfied when..."

In longing for some future good, we forget that every day,--regardless of the weather or our circumstances--is a gift from God to be used for His glory. 

According to author Ron Ash, "We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow."

In every season, there is a reason to rejoice and an opportunity to do good. (Eccl. 3:12). The challenge for each of us every day is to find something to rejoice about and some good to do--and then to do both. --Julie Ackerman Link

Just as the winter turns to spring,

Our lives have changing seasons too;

So when a gloomy forecast comes,

Remember--God has plans for you. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Every season brings a season to rejoice.

[MARCH 4] What Brings Happiness?

Read: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

"All was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" 

--Ecclesiastes 2:11

After studying the effect of the post-World War II economic boom in Japan, Richard Easterlin concluded that monetary growth does not always bring more satisfaction. More recently, economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers conducted surveys in more than 100 nations and concluded that life satisfaction is highest in the richest countries.

So who’s right? Let’s check with the writer of Ecclesiastes. He should know! He was a truly rich man (2:8). He had the means to try everything in this world—and he did! He gave himself to pleasure (vv.1-3), grand projects (vv.4-8), entertainment (v.8), and hard work (vv.10-11). But he concluded that it was all “vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (v.11).

Lasting satisfaction doesn’t come from possessing tangible things like savings accounts and material goods. Recent events have shown that these things can suddenly lose value. To find true happiness, we have to find it in Someone who is not from “under the sun.” And that is our Savior, Jesus.

Hymnwriter Floyd Hawkins wrote: “I’ve discovered the way of gladness, I’ve discovered the way of joy, I’ve discovered relief from sadness... When I found Jesus, my Lord.” Only He can give joy that is full (John 15:11). --C. P. Hia

Take the world, but give me Jesus,

All its joys are but a name;

But His love abideth never;

Through eternal years the same. --Crosby

REFLECT ON THIS:
To know happiness, get to know Jesus.