As I watched a talent show on TV, I was greatly impressed by a gifted musical group. Collectively, the musicians played more than 15 different instruments. Videos of their spirited blend of Irish-influenced music and dance consistently go viral. The 12 siblings who comprise the uber-talented Willis Clan have appeared on other television programs, and they even have their own successful reality TV show.
One night as my son and I headed home after seeing the group in concert, he said wistfully, “I wish I’d done something with my life.” Amused, I looked at him and said, “Dude. You’re 12!” “Yeah, but they’re just so good!” he replied.
Ironically, we had just heard lead singer Jessica Willis say in mock jealousy that famous music city Nashville, Tennessee is a place where “you hear people so talented you want to burn your instrument.” She meant it facetiously but if we really knew those “so talented” superstars, I imagine we’d find that they also feel inadequate at some level.
The book of Ecclesiastes poignantly describes the futility of our human efforts. “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race,” Solomon wrote. “The strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). The truth is, we’re never adequate simply in ourselves. But, frankly, we’re not designed to be.
You’ll find at the heart of the Willis family a deep, abiding faith in Jesus, who calls us to find our purpose in Him. Meaning and fulfillment in life isn’t realized in our accomplishments or acquisitions. Jesus created us, complete with our talents and desires, to reflect His image. Only He can infuse Solomon’s words with eternal value: “Whatever you do, do well” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 20:1-19
More:
Read Ecc. 12:1-7 to see the importance of finding true meaning and life in your Creator before it’s too late.
Next:
What do you do well? What provides the most pure joy? Why do you think God has designed you this way?
BearPair on August 25, 2016 at 1:13 am
Well said, Tim! I once read a conversation between excellent guitarists Michael Card & Phil Keagy, where one said to the other, Being around you & playing together challenges me to go home and practice harder!” What a brotherly, subservient way of recognizing another’s talent. Thanks Tim!!
Gary Shultz on August 25, 2016 at 5:57 am
Tim, people with great talent are always a delight and you get to see them in every walk of life. A skilled welder, famed surgeon, hey, hey, some good writers, cooks, nurses, police, and on it goes. Everybody sees people on a stage and nothing taken from them; however we live with a host of very talented people. I know I’m taking this in a different direction, but I often say to myself the same thing your son said, and dude, I’m not just 12. I think we can covet talent, and we can “tramp down the can”, that’s when I learned to “be”. My piece of the puzzle does not have to look like other chunks, just mine. The worth statement comes from the relationship, nothing to do with what we do, God has simply chosen to love us. For those of us that have no outstanding talent, God has a gift, and that is developed in how faithful and obedient we are in the building and using that gift. So for those of us that have little “stage talent” great hope and use lays before us. And also relax, some day we will be skilled singers and we will join others in great praise. And Tim, I know you know all of this, but for those of us that often feel a lot like your son, take heart. Thanks Tim
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 7:43 am
A hearty Amen to all you’ve said, Gary.
tim gustafson on August 25, 2016 at 8:07 am
Thanks, Gary. When we consider that each of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and that we’re made in the image of God, we should be able to see great talent in each human being. But some of our most important gifts are hidden. It’s also so telling to me that Jesus said of Himself that He did not come to be served, but to serve.
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 10:04 am
Amen to this Gary!
minkjh on August 25, 2016 at 10:09 am
I’m in your camp on this Gary, and for myself ’12’ has been in the rear view mirror for decades. But that number draws me to the great chapter on spiritual gifts (I Cor 12) where Paul so magnificently contrasts those in the body of Christ who have feelings of inferiority (v 14-20) and those with a superiority complex (v 21-26). Your comment ‘God has simply chosen to love us’ echoes the Apostle’s segue to show us a more excellent way at the end of the chapter and we all know what follows.
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Gary, good word! Key words for me: learn to “be” and “relax”. I think it’s so instructive that we never read of Jesus striving for anything, except to do His Father’s Will, or running to or from anything. We would do well to emulate. I love to see and applaud the talents of others (has anyone seen the Carole King play Beautiful? It truly was!), but I know for sure that coveting those talents for myself is dumb, at the very least, because it’s an exercise in futility; and at worst, it’s sin, because of what sayeth the Lord. Sin always makes life miserable and I’m just not into self-inflicted misery, if I can avoid it. Though God allows suffering into our lives here on earth, it’s done for our greater good, not for misery sake. Oh boy, I’m having one of those meandering mind mornings…. Where was I? Yes, good word, Gary! Thank you!
Tom Felten on August 25, 2016 at 7:37 am
Tim, I remember sitting and talking with an older man in our local church as he shared about his life. He concluded, by holding up his large, weathered hands and saying, “I can’t sing well, I can’t speak in front of people. but I have these (his hands).” And over the years he had blessed countless people within and outside our congregation by building baby cradles, furniture, wooden games and more with those amazing hands. May we all recognize what God has given us and not what He hasn’t.
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 7:45 am
Sweet (and tear-jerking) story, Tom. Thanks for sharing that.
Tom Felten on August 25, 2016 at 7:50 am
Such a sweet man, gagirl. You would have loved him!
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 8:00 am
I know I would have, Tom! I love him already. He offered his hands to God as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6: 13) Okay…much too early for me to have this kind of waterworks going. No more sappy stories, bro. 🙂
Tom Felten on August 25, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Haha!
tim gustafson on August 25, 2016 at 8:05 am
THAT’S how the body of Christ is supposed to work. And my guess is people greatly underestimate that man’s contributions. But Jesus doesn’t!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 10:11 am
Amen Tim, each part of the body of Christ is part of the body, yet we all have a different task.
Shalom
BearPair on August 25, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Amen! These people are, to use one person’s adjective, the “Hidden Ones.” I know God has a special place reserved for just such people because of His love for them.
BearPair on August 25, 2016 at 8:49 am
Amen, Tom… what a testimony… and a gift put to good use!
Tom Felten on August 25, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Absolutely, and he taught others so they could develop their woodworking gift!
BearPair on August 25, 2016 at 6:29 pm
OK, after reading all the “Pooh” nonsense (no slight to Winnie), then seeing this comment under today’s wonderful devo by Tim, I’m really confused, Tom… it sounds like my comment–to you, Tom–somehow was connected to Tim’s blog??? H E L P ! ;o)
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 10:06 am
What a wonderful story Tom!
Have a Shalom day 🙂
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 7:41 am
Tim, I have to say that Ecclesiastes 9 isn’t exactly the kind of passage I like waking up to read, “dude”. 🙂 Solomon’s pessimistic outlook on life isn’t very inspiring. However, he does express thoughts that are all too common to man, doesn’t he? We all have that longing within to find meaning and purpose in this short life we’ve been given. Thankfully, in the chapter 12 passage you referenced in the “More” section, Solomon’s wisdom kicks in. The refrain in chapter 12—“Remember Him”—holds the answer to all the questions about our purpose in life. Without a relationship with God, life is empty and dissatisfying. And at some point, the futility of it turns us into a character like Winnie-the-Pooh’s friend, Eeyore. In fact, Eeyore had something to say in context to this devotion—“Once in a while someone amazing comes along and here I am.” (Gotta love him! :)) In essence that’s what your 12 year old son was saying…and what this 50-something year old GAgirl says sometimes too. But then, I “Remember Him” in my life and try to bring Him glory in all that I am. Solomon said, “Whatever you do, do well.” But Paul brought it up higher by saying, “Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God”. Great word for us today. Thanks, Tim.
tim gustafson on August 25, 2016 at 8:10 am
gagilrlive (That is hard to spell. 🙂 ) Ah, the wisdom of Winnie-the-Pooh. Without God, everything really is futile. With Him … we have everything! Most of all, we have genuine purpose. I am going to share this with my now 13-year-old. And he is a joy, by the way. Yeah, I call him “dude” sometimes.
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 8:23 am
Lol…just shorten it to gagirl, GG, or whatever you like. I had to add the “live” part because gagirl was already taken as a username. Your now 13 year old sounds like a pretty special dude, Tim. Keep having those good conversations!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 10:13 am
GAgirl, again you said all the things I wanted to say and more, so I will just give you a hearty Amen!!
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 12:12 pm
I know of Winnie The Pooh, but have no idea of his/her (?) story (Makes me think about the 7 sons of Sceva (sp?) where the evil spirit says he knows Jesus and recognizes Paul, but questions who they are—that to me is probably the funniest story in scripture—I absolutely hollored out loud the first time I read it). But, I think I would like Eeyore, or at least admire his/her (?) chutzpah! I think Id’ enjoy Tim’s son too!
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Seriously?! You don’t know Eeyore—the donkey? He is Pooh’s pessimistic friend and the total opposite of that irritatingly-always-happy Tigger. Today’s scripture passage reminded me of Eeyore, thus the quote and comparison. You think you’d like him, eh? Friendship with an Eeyore would be quite…challenging. 🙂
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Well, all I know about Eeyore is your comment about what he said: —“Once in a while someone amazing comes along and here I am.” and I like that kind of brashness. Seriously, yes, that’s about all I know about him. I didn’t say I wanted to date him or anything…:). But Winnie is supposed to be a pretty good sort, right? And she/he is friends with Eeyore, right? What’s good for Winnie…. GG, are we really having this conversation, out loud where others can hear?
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Don’t worry Kim, I didn’t hear a thing.
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 3:39 pm
How could anyone not know Eeyore? Weren’t you allowed to watch Winnie the pooh as a child Kim? Did you lead a sheltered life? LOL….j/k
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 3:42 pm
I don’t even think they had Winnie the Pooh when I was a child and, if they did, he/she didn’t come to my hood…LOLL!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 3:54 pm
So I’m guessing Kim, that you don’t know tigger too?
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Um…Kim and Sandy, this thread is just too much. Forgive me, keeper of the ODJ forum, for starting this Pooh talk. I take full responsibility. (Actually it would have been fine if Kim had had a clue!) 🙂
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 4:42 pm
🙂
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Y’all leave me alone already!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 10:31 am
These are some excerpts from my study Bible (Truth in Action) I wanted to share:
The book of Ecclesiastes encourages the reader to live a godly life. Futility and meaninglessness described the life lived apart from God. When we lose our focus on God, all of the effort, toil, energy and thought we put in our work on earth is compared to “chasing the wind”. Meaning and fulfillment are found in a life lived in faithfulness and integrity toward God and others.
Fear the Lord and obey Him. It is not enough just to know about God-to write or read about Him-we must know Him and follow Him. This is the goal, the greatest achievement, and the fulfillment of a person.
Hear the conclusion of the matter: after Solomon had tried every possible experience that the world said would bring happiness, he found it all to be futile and pointless. Devote yourself to God, who alone gives true meaning to life.
Shalom to everyone here 🙂
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Love this excerpt, Sandy! Thank you for sharing. It’s spot-on to what’s being said here today!
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 9:21 pm
I love that final chapter where it talks about the windows dimming and the grinders ceasing because they’re few, etc. When I was able to decipher what all of that meant, I was just astounded! That Solomon had a way with words, didn’t he?!
johnswanson on August 25, 2016 at 12:08 pm
I do few things well and some things adequately. I was told as a child and I did not do things well enough. I have carried that through my life. Now I am 72, and I wonder what it has brought me. But God is good and He’ll see me through.
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Do all you do for the glory of God, John. Whether grand or small, seen or unseen, make it an offering to Him. “In Christ”, God is well-pleased with you. God’s disposition toward you is acceptance and unfailing love. He rejoices over you with singing. Be glad in Him today, brother!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Amen!!
tim gustafson on August 25, 2016 at 12:51 pm
johnswanson, your story makes me somewhat sad, but I think most of us can relate at some level. At the end of the day (or Day, if you will), it isn’t really what we’ve done but Who we’ve done it for. Blessings today, and enjoy belonging to the Lord. —Tim
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Amen, Tim….And most importantly, what He’s already done for us! Living our lives in RESPONSE to that is where we will find purpose and meaning.
Prayers for you, johnswanson!
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 3:41 pm
“But God”, indeed! Those two words are a mouthful of hope & joy & love and I would remember them and forget those who criticized your efforts as a child. God Bless you as you grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus as Lord!
johnswanson on August 25, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Thank you all for your encouraging replies. Little by little everyday things will improve.
gagirllive on August 25, 2016 at 6:42 pm
You are a precious part of the Body of Christ, John…. And this ODJ community. ♡
johnswanson on August 25, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Thank you!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 11:00 pm
GAgirl is right!!!