Searching for renewed meaning
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
By Ramon E. McDonald II
Christmas 2006 found our assistant pastor, Tony Scoglio, in critical condition with a life threatening infection. As I write these words, his earthly life hangs in the balance of God?s will and human technology.
I thank God his eternal life has been secured through his faith in Jesus.
As the New Year begins, we are being bombarded with self-improvement schemes: new diets, gym memberships, exercise equipment and resolutions.
It seems that in today?s world many people are not very happy with themselves. They seek to make changes to their lives. They have a void and they try to fill it with all sorts of temporal things.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon wasn?t always at peace. He seemed to have it all; yet, he eventually came to understand that nothing mattered more than knowing God.
Philosophers have tried to explain the meaning of life. Pastor Tony?s illness has put it all in proper perspective for me.
If Tony?s sickness is unto death, it will not matter where he lived, what vehicle he drove, whether his TV was a plasma or flat screen, which iPod he owned or didn?t, or how fast his Internet connection speed was.
Tony and I have reminded each other (as he lies in his hospital bed) that our relationship with Jesus is what really counts. Life isn?t about what we accomplish or accumulate or the titles we hold. Life is about our relationship with Jesus and how we share Jesus with others through our life?s work and example.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 reads, 'Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.'
Solomon had much and did much. If the things of the world become our focus, we can count on being miserable. Solomon had it all but found that things do not bring peace. Only a relationship with God can satisfy.
At times, we fall back into the rat race of life, even when our intentions are good. I found myself drained and overwhelmed when I tried to cover Tony?s job and mine.
Pastors are notorious for thinking their work somehow gives them special dispensation, because they are serving God. It doesn?t.
All of us should work well at what we do while keeping our eyes set on Jesus.
What will 2007 bring? The world around us is ever changing. With the execution of one tyrant, another will rise. The economy is always in flux. Some of us will lose the physical battle and die.
How will we grow in our discipleship journey in the face of these changes? Will we work hard for things that are temporal, things that will not follow us to the grave? Will we continue the cycle of unhappiness? Or will we concentrate on those accomplishments that bring us closer to Jesus and others too?
We must join together, as we resolve to be disciples and to grow other disciples and Acts 2 churches in the coming year. These will pass the test of time.
Editor?s note: Tony Scoglio is slowly progressing, but has returned to a respirator and faces ongoing health challenges. Continued prayers are appreciated.
The Rev. Ramon E. McDonald II is the senior pastor of Mt. Zion UMC in Lothian.
A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure
Celebrate: This morning, write a list of people who have 'worked with all their might' for something that matters - people who put everything they had into the work as an offering to God. As you make the list, thank God for their passion and commitment, naming them before God along with lifting up the work they did.
Connect: Next, call or drop a note to at least two of the people on your list and share with them how their contribution has affected your life and the lives of others, and how their contribution has witnessed to their faith.
Share: Find a moment this week to share how one or two of these faithful ones touched your life and increased your faith.
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