August 23, 2023

Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 3 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? (NIV)

What matters to God must matter to us.*

When my husband learned that his pancreatic cancer was terminal, he became a "lame duck" in life. Suddenly, most of his usual pursuits were meaningless. As I watched him giving up on one interest and activity after another, I wondered, “What was the point of it all in the first place?”

But this is not about agreeing with Solomon's ponderings about the meaninglessness of life. It’s about discovering what is meaningful and lasting. After my husband’s diagnosis, he  received hundreds of cards, letters, emails, texts, and visits from people who were touched by something he said or did. Whether in his profession, his family, or his involvement in the church, no part of his life was separate from his love of God. His impact for the Kingdom is a lasting one. 

Don't be discouraged if your impact seems insignificant. Even our small offerings have eternal consequences. That, my friends, is not meaningless.

Service is a natural byproduct of a faithful life.*