Verse of the week - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Kids know how to get every drop of enjoyment out of an experience. Look at these two. Is there any doubt that they are thoroughly enjoying this simple pleasure of swinging? It reminds me to enjoy life, too. As the saying goes, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.


The Christian walk follows this theorem as well. When we face our Creator, we want to have no doubts about how we lived our lives. I want to stand having given all, every ounce of strength. I will still owe Him more than I could repay, but He is worthy of everything I can possibly lay at His feet.


A preacher on the radio mentioned an interesting take on our theological perspective. Apparently based on a book and now a whole speaking tour, Cat and Dog Theology has a creative foundation. Basically it goes like this . . . we each approach God from either a cat or a dog mentality. Which are you?


Think about the nature of dogs. They think, "My master sure is amazing. He loves me so much. He feeds me, takes care of me, plays with me, looks out for me. He must be God!"


Now think about the nature of cats. They think, "My master brings me food, cleans up after me, gives me everything that I need. I must be something amazing!" (punctuated with a haughty flick of the tail)


So, what is your approach to God? Do you have a 'dog' theology, desiring to eagerly give every ounce of energy to your Master? Or, do you find yourself slipping into the 'cat' perspective at least some of the time, waiting for God to cater to your needs and living as if you somehow deserved His mercy?


God does not rely on me. I rely on Him, even for my very existence. I just sometimes need to remember that. This life is such a brief time and I must spend each bit of my energy in doing the work that He has set about for me to do.


This all brought me to Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."


We can't suddenly make up for lost time once we arrive in heaven. Now is the time for action and diligent work. As Henry Martyn, 19th-century missionary to the Muslims said, ‘Let me burn out for God.’


Lord, I want to work diligently for You, holding nothing back. Using every skill, talent, shortcoming, character trait, vision, and eccentricity that you placed in me for Your glory. Help me to live as Moses did, face-to-face in obedience to you, and yet not to offer excuses when You call me to work. If You call me, I know You will give me the strength to do it. I want to work for You with all my might. ~Amen

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,
do it with thy might; for there is no work,
nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom,
in the grave, whither thou goest.

~Ecclesiastes 9:10~