My Journey 9/19/2010

God's insight to me:

As I was reading this devotional it brought back memories of how time really does fly by. When we think back 20, 30, 40 and even in my case some 50 years ago it seems like it was only yesterday. A little while ago, I was talking to my next door neighbor's grandson. He is in his early twenties and we were talking about him being in his own apartment. His first move away from home. So I was wondering what really matters to him now. Probably having a job to pay for his rent and also having fun. Back 50 years ago I was getting ready to enter the service. It seems each period of time has it's own priorities. As I look back now I truly wish I would of had my priorities in better order. See if God will be first in your life then you can truly proceed through life in a blessed, abundant manner. Oh, problems will always be there but it is so much better going through them with Him than alone. The author of this devotional explained it well, "things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted...Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter."

The Hands of the Clock

The hands of the clock
keep going around,
not stopping for life
or time to slow down.

With each tick that passes
brings something so new,
for each one of us
haven’t been there yet, very true.

And we cannot feel bad
for time not well used,
as the hands of the clock click away
it’s up to us what we choose.

So to all my family, friends
and the many more people I may meet,
may the hands of my clock
bring many memories so sweet.

And always remember
one day this life’s clock will end.
But the souls clock never stops
for it clicks forever my friend.

Live each tick to the fullest,
embrace each day with a grin,
and I pray the hands of your clock
bring you closer to Him!

E. P. Shagott
6/23/09

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/19

Things That Matter
a devotional by Daily Disciples

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11

It seems that time is passing so fast; birthdays come faster and even the holiday season comes sooner every year. But in reality, time is set at a fixed and constant rate and does not change. So I am not getting older faster than I used to, and holidays do not come sooner than they used to, but rather, time is passing at a constant speed. Why does time seem to be passing too fast?

The author of the book of Ecclesiastes had come to the point in his life in which he understood just how little time we really have. In the first chapter, the author identifies himself as David's son, the king of Jerusalem. He also calls himself the Preacher and he spends twelve chapters preaching on the meaning of life—the meaningless of life. His main point centers on how much time we spend on things that are "vanity." The word vanity means emptiness, unsatisfactory, and vapor. Too often, the things we chase after in life are done in vain, and end in emptiness. How many of us look back on things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted and the end result? How many of us would love the chance to go back and do certain things over again? Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter.

Today, take time to stop, slow down and find the real meaning in your life. Our Savior was born to give the only gift that matters. A gift that is not bought, earned or labored for; it is totally free. Jesus has given the gift of everlasting life to all who believe in Him. In this gift, however, there is so much more than just what awaits us in eternity. Our gift starts today. Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit who lives within us; and because of Him, we have love, joy and peace. Take the time to worship and praise Him for all that He has given you.