Wisdom To Speak Or Not To Speak

“It is wise to think before we speak. It is wise to remember not every thought is meant to be spoken.” katiejwilson.com

Ecclesiastes has always been a challenge for me to enjoy. It is full of great wisdom but also the unraveling of one who started his race strong, recognizing his need for dependence on God for wisdom, only to finish his race (as far as we can see) like Eeyore – perceptive, pessimistic, wise, sarcastic and “woe is me.”

After a long litany of all the things he chased after to fill his God-shaped, heart-hole and the worthlessness of it all, he concludes with,

“Fear God. Do what He tells you. And that’s it.” Ecc.12:13 (MSG)

That is a wise, true finale but his gloomy, cynical tone dripping off the page almost kills me. I can hear Hee Haw singing “Gloom, despair, oh agony on me…” (Google Hee Haw that if you don’t know what I’m talking about. It was a variety show full of comedy and country music. It was a family favorite from the 80s. My dad would sing the “gloom” song to me whenever I started to complain, always ending in a smile on both of our faces:)

Eeyores have always been the hardest personalities for me because I eventually wear down and collapse on top of them. The more they express all the negative possibilities as “unavoidable truths”, the more I feel a wet blank of suffocation slowly snuffing me out.

Therefore, sifting the gold out of Ecclesiastes has always been an exhausting effort for me. Grabbing onto wisdom and hope amongst the fountain of foolishness and the profuse pessimism is nearly impossible once I, too, fall into the pit of despair

BUT GOD SAYS…

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17 MSG

Therefore I felt it was worth the treasure hunt!

Today’s nugget is one piece of gold I mined and am chewing on from Ecclesiastes. I’m attempting to pull out the precious and apply it to my life! I share these thoughts in conjunction with the truth that NOT EVERY thought is meant to be shared, but some definitely are.

TO SPEAK OR NOT TO SPEAK-Lord give us the wisdom to know the difference!

#wisdom #Ecclesiastes #quotes #inspiration