While in the midst of studying for finals, starting my final thesis papers, and handling my normal homework load -- some will ask why I am taking time to blog while I should be hiding out in a cafe or library hovering over my books. And to those who were going to ask that or to those who are now curious because I have brought it up - I assure you this post is part of my English paper. So you see, I am killing two birds with one stone.
For my English project, we were given a poetry anthology from which we were asked to pick a single poem. Without knowing what it was for or why we would need this poem, I picked "To Everything There Is A Season," a passage from Ecclesiastes. It stuck out to me immediately because I have read this passage before and I adore it. We went on to learn that we would have to teach the poem of our choice to the class during one class period. No more, no less. So as I finally sat down to work up my lesson plan, I realized how big of a meaning this passage has. I dug into every line, looking for clues and studying the careful choice of words. I compared four different versions: King James, New King James, New International, and New Living. I dug into the history of the book which lead me to Solomon, the author of this book. Which leads me to the point of this post.
Solomon. For those who don't know about Solomon (which was me up until an hour ago), here is some of the history I have acquired from my dig. He is believed to have written three books: Ecclesiastes in his older age, Proverbs in his middle age, and Song of Solomon in his young age. He was crowned King in the first chapter of 1 Kings and his reign takes up the first part of 2 Chronicles.
Solomon was wise. Every book I've read and website I've come across says that he was KNOWN FOR his wisdom. In the first chapter of 1 Chronicles, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for anything he wanted and it would be his. Solomon, being a man of character, asked for the wisdom to rule and to know right from wrong. God was so pleased and told Solomon that "since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you my king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given [to] you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions, and honor, such as no king before you ever had and none after you will have" (2 Chron 1:11-12).
That could be the coolest thing in the Bible!! Solomon was patient and had his priorities straight. He did not want money or fame, he wanted wisdom. And because his priorities were straight, God rewarded him big time. This is such an example for us. When we pray, we should ask the Lord for things like wisdom and the ability to tell right from wrong.
I may not have it all figured out but I do know this: money is fleeting. When judgement day comes, the amount of money you have will not be the determining factor on if you are let through the gates. In fact it won't even be the slightest of a determining factor. Those who asked for things like wisdom, the ability to love, and to have a joyful heart will be the ones walking past you into the kingdom of heaven of you rely on worldly items like money.
So in conclusion, I'd say it is pretty cool that I am about to be able to speak the Word of God to my class this week. I'd say it is pretty cool that God called me to select this piece of writing to dig into. I'd say it is pretty cool that God is working through me.
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grace
ps. prayers please!!! finals are hard and stressful and time consuming but summer is so close I can feel it!!
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