The Meaning of It All

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

Without God’s presence, all of life would seem meaningless and tiresome, as it did to the writer of Ecclesiastes, who cried out that all of life was in vain. Without God's presence and sovereignty, everything in life would be without eternal value or significance.  

God gives us eternal values that enable us to transcend the material life into the spiritual, to see value in the ordinary, to see God in other creatures, to see God’s creative hand in nature.

And in each season, there is God…

giving life meaning

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Material Things

Ecclesiastes 2: 4-8

“4 I made great works; I built houses and planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house; I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I got singers, both men and women, and delights of the flesh, and many concubines…

11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and again, all was vanity and a chasing after the wind and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

Twenty-five years ago, my father died.  I was with him the last two weeks of his life.  During that time, the meaning of this passage was never more clear to me.

At the end of our lives our bank accounts, our houses, our cars, our properties will have no meaning.  The material world’s grip on us will be loosened.   

The spiritual, eternal things will be the things that matter most to us, such as love; the love of God, the love of Christ, the love for our family and friends.

The writer of Ecclesiastes warns us that the true meaning of life cannot be found in  a life obsessed with chasing things that rust, decay and fade away.  

Happiness found in material things is temporary at best.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;” (Matthew 6:19) 

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Hope in This Life

Ecclesiastes 1: 14-15

“14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and chasing after the wind.  15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.”

Things in this world often seem beyond our control, or out of control.  There are many crooked roads that will never be straight, and many people who will always be hungry and in need of shelter.

Christ came to us to make the crooked paths straight; to restore us; to redeem us; to transform us into a people of love, mercy and compassion for one another.  

Christ came not only to give us the hope of eternal salvation, but to give us hope in this life; the hope of a better life, a higher life; a life where people live in peace and unity and reach out to those in need, and those who are lacking.

“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’”(Matthew 25:35-36)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

A New Day with Christ

Ecclesiastes 1:2-9

“2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south, and goes around to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they continue to flow. 8 All things are wearisome; more than one can express; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.”

Sometimes life seems as if it repeats itself; that we are caught on some sort of giant , never ending merry-go-round.  We get up in the morning.  We eat breakfast.  We go to work. We eat lunch.  We leave work.  We go home.  We eat dinner.  We watch TV.  We go to bed.  And we get up the next day and do it all over again.

The difference for Christians is that we do all these things with Christ and the Holy Spirit of God.  We get up with Christ.  We eat with Christ.  We work with Christ.  We travel each day with Christ.  The sun rises and sets each day with Christ.

And for everyone who is in Christ, the Holy Spirit is creating in us a new creation.

No day is the same with Christ.

Each day is a new day in the love of Christ.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Light of Christ

Proverbs 29: 13

“The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.”

In the Old Testament, the light is God’s grace, mercy, goodness, the knowledge of God, and revelation.  In the New Testament, God’s light is Christ.  

Christ came into the world to live among us, to show us God’s mercy, goodness, and grace in the flesh, and to teach us how to live.

The light of Christ is given to everyone.  We can choose to live in the light, or continue to live in darkness.  

Those who choose the light will know God.  Those who choose darkness will know only darkness, though the light has been given to them.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Live in Fellowship

Proverbs 27:17

“Iron sharpens iron and one person sharpens the wits of another.”

The image of iron sharpening iron is the image of two tools sharpening one another, causing each to become better and more effective.  It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the other. Left alone, both tools would become dull and useless.

As Christians, we are called to live in community; in fellowship with one another.   John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, saw the value of this and further divided his congregations into small groups that met during the week so that the concept of “iron sharpening iron” could continue even after Sunday worship.

We are called to be in fellowship with one another so that we may grow in our faith and our relationship with God may deepen.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”(1 Thess. 5:11)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Desire to Know God

Proverbs 25: 2

“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings to search things out.”

The wisdom of God is available to all who seek it out, but it is not an easy search.  

In this effort, we have access to God’s holy word in the Bible.  The Holy Spirit is available to us, giving us insight, leading us, guiding us.  The knowledge of those who have been before us is available to us, also.  

But, first and most importantly, we have to have the desire to know God, to hunger for God’s truth and  be willing to do the work to discover it.

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

God’s Order

Proverbs 24: 27

“Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the field; and after that build your house.”

In God’s creation there is an order and balance to all things.  There is an order to all nature that governs the stars, the planets, the moon, the wind, the sun and the rain.  There is an order to life, from the most simple to the most complex life forms.  

Just as God ordered the universe, our lives are to reflect God’s order in our material and spiritual lives.  

A life of spiritual order for a Christian means that we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all things;  that love, mercy, kindness and forgiveness imbue everything we do; and that love is our primary motivation.

For Christians, the hope is that the work we do outside will be a reflection of the work of the Holy Spirit on the inside.  

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Coming Home

Proverbs 23: 31-32

“31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.  32 At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.”

There are many shiny things in this world that compete for our attention and cause us to wander.  Many people who were raised in the church have heard the call of the world and have no more interest in spiritual things, for a while at least.

I have spoken to people who have left the church and then returned after years away.  They say it is like coming home, with the familiar smell of the candles, the creak of the pews, the hymns, the stillness of the sanctuary and the welcoming smiles of the people.

And they are astounded to learn that God still loves them, that God has forgiven them, that God never deserted them…

and that God welcomes them home with open arms.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”  (Luke 15:20)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Truth

Proverbs 27: 6

“Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,  but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

Has someone ever said to you, “Be honest with me, what do you think?”, and then gotten angry when you told them the truth?  Or maybe we got angry when one of our friends told us a truth about ourselves that we did not want to hear.

We like to say nice things about others and we also like to hear nice things about ourselves.  When we have to be honest with a friend it is uncomfortable, and when we have to hear bad things about ourselves it is hard to hear.

But, in the Christian life, it is good to have at least one friend that will always tell you the truth, no matter how it may hurt.

False praise and flattery are not what we need if we are to grow in relationship with Christ.

We need the truth.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Envy

Proverbs 23:17

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the Lord.”

There is this very large house in the town in which I grew up.  You might even call it a mansion.  While it was being built, the owner of the home put a large sign up in the front yard, very near the road, that read, “Watch and see what God will do for me.”

People began to drive by as each phase of the mansion was completed.  After it was completed, the sign was changed to “See what God has done for me.”  

There was only one problem.  The owner was arrested and put in jail for dealing in drugs before he could move in.  The mansion sat empty for years, and the sign remained in front of the house near the road until it fell down in a windstorm.

The outward appearance of glamor and opulence was a cover for the owner's inner poverty.

We should not waste our energy envying others.  

Our time is better spent with the Lord.

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”            

 (1 Peter 2:1)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

God Knows the Heart

Proverbs 21:2

“All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

Throughout Jesus’ ministry he spoke of the heart.  If a person gave but did not give with a glad heart, then they just as well had never given.  If a person did not sin outwardly but sinned in their heart, then, in God’s eyes, they had sinned.  If a person professed faith, but faith was not in their heart, then they did not have faith.

We can say the “right” things.  We can do the “right” things.  But if our hearts are not right nothing is right.

People see the outward appearance.

God knows the heart.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Néed for Forgiveness

Proverbs 20:9

“Who can say , “I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin?”

We are quick to see the sins of others, and just as quick to condemn them.  We have a false sense of our own goodness, but we, in reality, we are no better than other people.  We have the same thoughts, the same desires, the same wishes. 

Although we are people of faith and we have the assurance of our salvation, we still have the need to fall on our knees before God and ask for forgiveness.

We still sin.   And in this, we are all the same. 

God’s forgiveness makes us clean.

Nothing else.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Rightful Path

Proverbs 16:25

“Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.”

During the era of slavery in the United States, there were people who justified slavery using scripture from the Bible.  In their minds, slavery was God ordained, it was right and just.   In Nazi Germany, there were many Nazis who believed they were doing the work and will of God.

Looking back, we wonder how people could serve evil and think they were serving God.  But is this mistaken way of thinking limited only to the past?

It is easy to confuse our thoughts, our self interest, our desires, our prejudices for the voice and will of God.  We are so sure of the direction that we think God is leading that we never ask any questions, we never doubt. 

And so, it is easy for us to walk a path that we think is the right path when, in reality, it is the wrong path.

The following questions are helpful to ask yourself before making decisions or walking a new path:

1. Have I prayed about these things?

2. Do these things strengthen my relationship with God?

3. Are they consistent with the teachings of Christ?

4. Are these things motivated by love?  

5. Will they harm others?

6. Will these things cause others to stumble in their faith?

7. Will they result in unity and peace?

   
   

“…the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness

 and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Love Never Tears Down

Proverbs 13: 1

“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”

There are people who are builders.  These are people who lend a helping hand to people, who say an encouraging word when one is needed, who are all too willing to listen and not talk, who seek out the people who are in need.  They offer their presence.  They seek God’s guidance.  They never tear down.

Then there are those who do nothing but tear down.  They tear down with their words and with their actions.  They love to hear themselves speak and rarely listen.  They stir the pot if it makes them look smart.  Their will is the only will.  They confuse their own voice with the voice of God.  When the walls collapse, they blame others.

Christians are to be known for their love.   Love never tears down.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Knowledge and Discipline

Proverbs 12: 1

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.”

Anyone who ever played a musical instrument, danced, or played a sport; anyone who ever wanted to be good at their job, or wanted to be good at anything for that matter, knows that knowledge and discipline go hand in hand.  

Without knowledge we will not get very far, and without discipline we will never be very good.  There are no short-cuts.

The Christian spiritual life also requires knowledge and discipline in the areas of prayer, worship, scripture, service, and sacrifice.  We must make time for these things and each requires study and practice over the length of our lifetimes.  

There are no short-cuts in the spiritual life.  

The difficult, disciplined way is the only way.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Pride

Proverbs 11: 2

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.”

We have all heard people say something like, “He should take pride in himself” , or “Take pride in your work.”  Pride, used in this way, is a positive thing.  

But, pride can become destructive if we are not careful, and can interfere with our spiritual lives.  Pride destroys our humility.  In order to approach God, we have to be humble in heart, not just in words.  

Pride causes us to see ourselves as better than others.  We lose empathy for others and our desire to help others in need suffers.  

With prideful hearts we ignore, deny, or are ignorant of our sins.  In this state we do not ask for forgiveness and our relationship with God is broken.

Pride causes us to put our hope in the things of this world instead of the things of God. And when we do that, we lose sight of God altogether.

Pray for a humble heart.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

God’s Treasure

Proverbs 8:8-11

“8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.  9 They are all straight to one who understands and right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”

In the church where I was raised, there was a woman who was raising six children in a small home in the public housing projects.  Her husband was an alcoholic who was unable to hold a job.  I thought of them as being poor.  And I saw her as being a victim of poverty.  

But now, as an adult, I see her differently.  I see her as a woman of extraordinary faith.  She was a cheerful person, not fake, but deep down in her soul,  cheerful that only a mature faith can give.  

Her children were brought to church each Sunday, dressed, brushed, and shined.  She was involved in the church; teaching a children’s Sunday School class and serving on various committees.  She sang in the choir, and as her children became old enough, each of them sang with her.  

Some of her children went to college.  One became a minister.  Most are married and have good lives and families of their own.  One of her daughters was later murdered, and it was her faith and her faith community that got her through.

Her husband found Christ and became a member of her church,  and, of course, he sang in the choir with her.  

I no longer see her as a victim of poverty.  

In fact, she may have been the richest person I have ever known.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Path of Righteousness

Proverbs 4: 18

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter until full day.”

Have you ever sat on a mountain or sea shore and watched the sun rise? There is nothing like it.   The red or orange sun slowly peeks over the horizon, as if it, too, is still sleepy.  

Then, imperceptibly, it creeps higher into the sky, painting the clouds red, orange, yellow and turquoise as it goes, until the entire horizon is filled with God’s beauty.  

The serenity and peace and silence in which all of this happens fills our hearts with awe and quiet.  And our souls are stilled. It is as if the hand of God has touched us.

The lives of Christians are to be like the light of dawn to a world encased in darkness, filling the world with the light, the peace, the love, and the mercy of Christ.

And when people see our lives, they will also see and be filled with the beauty and love of God.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6

“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Years ago I took my dog walking in the woods near our home.  We walked for about an hour before I turned around and began walking back.  I headed in the direction I thought was correct only to find that nothing looked familiar.  I finally admitted to myself that I was lost.   My only recourse was to trust that my dog knew the way.  I stooped down and said, “Let’s go home.”  He led the way at once, and I followed.   After a while, things began to look familiar again and we arrived safely at our house.

In our spiritual lives we often wander off in the wrong direction, trusting in our own sense of direction.  At some point we discover that we are lost, that nothing looks familiar and that we need help to find the way home.  

At these times we are to put our trust in the Lord and let Him lead the way. Soon, the crooked path will become straight, and the way forward will be clear.

And the green grass of home will never look so good.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Faith of the Heart

Proverbs 3: 1-2

“1 My child,  do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and the abundant welfare they will give you.”

One of my favorite books is “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”, by Robert Fulghum.  It is Fulghum’s contention that people learn most of what is necessary to live a meaningful life by the time they graduate from kindergarten; that all we really need to know “about how to live, what to do and how to be” was learned by the time we reached the age of six.  Fulghum wrote that wisdom “was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at Sunday School.”

And to a certain degree this has been true for me.  I left home when I was 18 and, for all practical purposes, I never returned.  But no matter where I was led, what graduate degree I received, or what kind of job I held, it was the teachings I received in my first 18 years at home that guided me in my dealings with other people.  

Christians are God’s children.  At His feet we have learned His ways.  God asks that these teachings not reside on our lips but in our hearts.  If these teachings reside in our hearts, they will be with us throughout our lives, giving us comfort, peace and a sense of God’s presence.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Respect

Proverbs 1: 7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The fear of the Lord does not mean that we should have a sense of horror, panic, fright or despair about God.  The fear of the Lord used by biblical writers is more an attitude of humble respect founded on our faith, love, and experience of God.

It is possible to gain knowledge apart from faith.  But knowledge without faith is heartless and hollow and can become an idol that replaces the one true God.  

For believers, our faith and love of God is our first priority.  Gaining knowledge flows from that faith and love. With that foundation, we seek out wise instruction.  And we use the knowledge of the world for the glory of God.

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.” (Proverbs 8:33)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

A New Song

Psalm 96:1-6

“1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.”

The lives of all Christians are to be a “new song” to all the earth; a new way of living, and a new way of thinking.  Our lives are to be an example of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.  Our example should declare God’s glory.  

We, the believers, are the “marvelous work” of God’s salvation and transforming power for all the world to see.

We are the new song God wants the world to hear.

Sing the new song.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Ways of God

Psalm 94: 1-7

“1 O Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth!

2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve! 3 O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. 5 They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. 6 They kill the widow and the stranger, they murder the orphan, 7 and they say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.”

This psalm was originally the prayer of  a Jewish person who sought God’s vengeance on his enemies.  At first we are shocked when we read these words.  We think we would never pray such a prayer.  But have we all not had these thoughts?

Humans are people of anger, war, and vengeance.  And we want to think that the God we worship is just like us.  We want to think that God hates those that we hate; that when we are angry, God is angry; when we cry for war,  God also cries for war.

This is not true.  In fact, Jesus came into the world to lead us away from these things; to lead us in the direction of love, mercy, kindness and forgiveness.

Let us pray that God does not become like us, but that we become like Him.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)