Where's The Success?

Isn't it amazing how often we can look at happenings in this world and they just don't look right? We observe varying occurrences and they just don't always seem to turn out the way that seems logical! Solomon noticed the same thing as he looked at life in general; life lived "under the sun". Notice his observation.

We read. . .
"(11) Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but TIME AND CHANCE HAPPEN TO THEM ALL." ( Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV)

Oh what a different view between the realities of life and WHAT THE WORLD EXPECTS TO COUNT ON. Consider these five ideas.

1. The world bets on the swift. Does this bring to mind the fable of the "Tortoise and the Hare"? The reality is that sometimes patience pays off rather than quickness.

2. The world depends on the strong. However, one could have all the ability and resources they need and still meet up with some failures. It is not enough to depend on our strength alone.

3. The world looks to the wise. Still, the hunger for truth and good living is not satisfied. The world's cravings are often filled with hollow husks and there is no growth due to a lack of proper nourishment. Man is in need of something beyond his own wisdom.

4. The world banks on the brilliant. The world spells success: "$UCCE$$". However, the brilliant can still lose it all playing the stock-market along with everyone else.

5. The world listens to the learned. Nevertheless, where have the "experts" of our day gotten us? It is not always the highly educated who come up with the great ideas. It was a plumber who devised a means of fluid drainage from around the brain, not a doctor. How often is it from the "mouth of babes" that wisdom comes forth? Is it with the wisdom of the world God finds favor, or is it in the acceptance of His wisdom?

Therefore, we should see it is not necessarily to the swift, the strong, the wise, the brilliant, or the learned that success comes. It ultimately comes to those who trust in the Lord.

Have a great day TRUSTING THE LORD'S IDEAS INSTEAD OF THE WORLD'S.
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 12/03/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Expectations