Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Ecclesiastes 8:1-9New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Who is like the wise man?

    And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
Wisdom makes one’s face shine,
    and the hardness of one’s countenance is changed.

Keep the king’s command because of your sacred oath. Do not be terrified; go from his presence, do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” Whoever obeys a command will meet no harm, and the wise mind will know the time and way. For every matter has its time and way, although the troubles of mortals lie heavy upon them. Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be? No one has power over the wind to restrain the wind, or power over the day of death; there is no discharge from the battle, nor does wickedness deliver those who practice it. All this I observed, applying my mind to all that is done under the sun, while one person exercises authority over another to the other’s hurt.

I've just come back from the annual retreat to Rehoboth Beach I go to with a fabulous and creative group of women.  It always recharges me and fills my soul. This year even more than some other years.

We talked of letting go, and in the closing worship, which I had been asked to put together, I used Ecclesiastes as the basis. 

This wasn't the passage, but it very well could have been.

Everything is vapor.

This is what we've learned so far from the Teacher.

Vapor. Vanity. Meaningless.

Meaninglessness especially is a hard word to hear, and can perhaps lead us to be depressed and fearful and anxious about this world of God's we are in.

Yet the paradox is often that when we acknowledge the meaninglessness in future context, we are open to the deep meaning of the moment.

The wind blows where it will. We know this. There is no meaning to it. It happens.

Troubles happen.

Death happens.

And yet in the midst of this we hear the most common call in scripture.

Do not be terrified.

Do not be afraid.

Do not fear.

For in the midst of troubles, winds and death...

In the midst of meaninglessness.

Life happens.

This moment happens.

Now happens.

And that is a gift. 

It can't be taken from you. It is yours.

In our retreat this weekend, I pondered those things that I can let go of that keep me from feeling and holding onto the moment I have right now.

What life can you find in the now? What meaninglessness can give you life and meaning in the present?

The wind blows as it will and no one has power to restrain it.

But breathe it in.

Right now.

And see the gift it gives you.

Lord of Life, you give meaning to each and every moment. Help me to catch my breath and notice! Amen