Not Done in Vain

"Vanities of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity."
-Eccl. 9:8

This verse epitomizes a teacher I have in college who extols the amazing achievements of science. She says that one day we will be able to live much longer than we do now through the assistance of machines. This indefinite living is something she would like. Her reasons are not that she is afraid of dying, for she believes we cease to exist after death, but because there is so much to discover and learn in life.

A life lived for Christ is glorious indeed. However, the Bible expresses her motives for living differently. "[T]here is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness." (Ecclesiastes 7:15) This is what she is doing. In her depravity, she seeks to extend her life and, ultimately, the time before judgment. One verse later, the author of Ecclesiastes (Solomon?) inquires why we make ourselves overly wise when it only serves to destroy ourselves?

The unregenerate want to explain their existence apart from an all powerful Creator. They do not want to acknowledge that there is a God who will judge them for their thoughts and deeds. One day they will realize (either in this life or after) that the works, toils, and pursuits of their earthly bodies and minds are all worthless; it is all vanity.

As Christians, we have the great privilege of pursuing all we do for God's glory. We do not have to fit non matching puzzle pieces together. Instead, God has revealed His plan and design to us. We can contently rejoice and be overwhelmingly awed at His wise orchestration. It is our responsibility, our commission to share with the lost (as we once were) the magnificent act of God on their sinful behalf. Our lives must be lived as a testimony to His work on the cross that was not done for us in vain.

May God who began a good work in you perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Love in Christ,
Elizabeth Cheryl
Ellie, Connie,
Bubbly, Bets,
Firecracker, Rosie,
Squeaks, Twitchy,
Shrimpy, Cheerio,
Shortcake, Pinkie,
& E!