I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.
Ecclesiastes 9:11, NLT
Consider the following:
- The verse tips us off to the unfair injuries and surprising twists that life gives us. The effort of a talented slave can give him precedence over a powerful king. This is indeed long anticipated news for those of us on the ‘margins’ of society.
- Your life is not a series of random events; rather, God is sovereign. All things are shaped to do His will and carry out His holy purposes. He is very creatively working for you. We know that He loves us and we trust in this.
- The logical is hardly a sure bet. Those with an ‘advanced sense of victory’ are often passed by the weak and ungifted. Talent is not proof of triumph. Your gifting doesn’t validate any success whatsoever.
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5, NLT
- This verse wants to do something to the reader. It emphasizes God’s creative power, and it humbles both the greatest king and the lowest slave.
- None of us cannot fathom the ‘effort of God.’ A summa cum laude with a doctorate in Biology still can’t achieve in their lab the creation of a child. They can’t read God’s blueprints.
- I believe that this verse is evidence of the sacredness of life and our response. The Father knitted you in secret. You are special. The world system disagrees. It loathes you. This cannot be overstated.
- Full understanding of God is not possible. He lavishes ‘portions’ of Himself to our hearts and then hides them from others. This is how He conducts himself. We dare not find fault with Him in this.
- There is no ‘God app’ to download that explains the full essence of the Almighty. Enough said.
As a broken believer I discover that God’s kindnesses are piled high all around me. My mental illness, my ‘on-again, off-again’ discipleship are within His grace parameters (they’re endless, or so I’ve been told).
These verses invite me to boldly live my life as a redeemed believer. I can jump out into promises of God with passionate gusto, and find He has been waiting for me all the time.
Just some random thoughts, which I know are woefully incomplete.
I’m almost embarrassed by the general shabbiness of this post on this blog. My apologies. But it is what it is.
Broken Believers 
On my way to work this morning I was thinking of how I wish I could talk to someone about the kingdom of God or better yet, to listen, and here is one of God’s kindnesses to me, this blog. I was also thinking about my personal suffering and what good has it been? I know in part now, I am consoled by God himself! I am finally consoled. It is the most beautiful thing in my life, His love for me and for all of us. We walk through this valley getting wounded maimed and blinded, but through it all He is restoring our nobility and preparing us for better things. The valley can’t have us. It is a good day to be alive. Ty Bryan.
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“Shabby” is not an adjective I would use to describe this post. It blessed me immensely. This, in particular, blessed me today: “These verses invite me to boldly live my life as a redeemed believer. I can jump out into promises of God with passionate gusto, and find He has been waiting for me all the time.” Trusting in His sovereignty in all circumstances makes life worth living no matter what.
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