Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and 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.

When I read this I couldn’t help but think of a small portion of a song I hear from time to time. “He is refining in his timing, He’s making diamonds out of us”. Don’t loose hope, joy or peace. Trust Him. He loves you beyond measure and if you just turn your focus on the things that truly matter, your true beauty will shine through. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Philippians 3:13).

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Ecclesiastes 1 and 2 Corinthians 11:16-33