*Dear Readers, I initially wrote this post Feb 2012. I thought it would be good to share it with those who I did not have the honor of meeting through the blog at the time. Enjoy

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV)

Take inventory of what’s going on in your life. Eliminate ( cut and prune ) things that are not profitable. Staying in direct line of the will of God that He has for you will profit greatly and it will bring Him the glory knowing you are acting in obedience.

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 2:26 KJV)

Stepping back to observe and weigh the things you say and do on a daily basis gives you a broader perspective of what’s really important. Pleasing God should be your first choice; not the last resort if you seek to live righteously for Him. A time of rest may be in order. This time of rest I am referring to is of stepping back from things that are optional and/or not of great importance. If you have a job that pays the bills then that is not what I am talking about. It’s those social gatherings, projects, idle time given or used that is of your free leisure and things along those lines. Now I’m not saying that they are not valuable or of good service to the Lord even if it’s volunteering within your local church. What I am saying though is that there is a season to everything. (Ecclesiastes 3)

Don’t hinder your growth and time with God if He is wanting to spend some alone time with you. This is something you should want as well. Doing so will develop a more personal and intimate relationship with Him as well as building character within yourself.

Chasing the wind doesn’t give you perfect peace. Jesus does. Running around as a busybody trying to make good on pleasures and vanities of this world, you will continue to search after things in life that brings temporary joy that will soon dissipate. Rich or poor we will all leave this earth with nothing in our hands. The life we live ( in Christ ) the values, integrity, service unto the Lord that is shared with others matters. No treasures, beauty or excellent education will be of gain or profit in heaven.

* spoken by Jesus “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV)

Don’t become consumed with the ways of this world that profit you nothing if you want to truly be grounded in God. It is very easy to get caught up doing “good works” that eventually may lead you astray from choosing ” the better part”; receive the word of God that it may be applied to your life and that of others. With wisdom comes discernment and knowledge. Peace and joy with contentment will be your anchor for it is the Lord Almighty keeping you with a steadfast heart and mind.

Which will you choose?

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)–[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be). (1 John 5:21 AMP)