Beginning of Relationships

After being in right relationship what's the next step for me to finding joy?

Beginning of Relationships

After reading through Ecclesiates I realized that I could so relate to the author, you work, you eat, you sleep. What are we toiling for? Stuff and more stuff? Daddy always said that there won't be a U-haul behind my funeral car, carrying all my earthly possessions into heaven. Relationships come and they go. Daddy used to say if you focus on people, they will always disappoint. If you focus on Jesus, He never changes. He will never leave or forsake me! Every day at times seems the same, driving from one place to another, one activity to the next, like Groundhog Day if you have ever seen the movie!

So at the end of the day, everything seems like it is meaningless...At first glance it seems as if I am unhappy with the life He has given me. Maybe at times, but in the mundanes of life I ask myself there must be more to this life here on earth! Ecclesiastes says "Enjoy the life you have been given as fully as you can. Know the measure of each human being's capability. Every person is human, all with a story, imperfections and life experiences that shape their perspective on life. Some are incapable of revealing who they truly are beyond their "my life is wonderful mask", afraid to let others see that they are broken. In bringing your brokenness to life, you find true healing and restoration. Everyone has a deep God given need to be truly loved and known by name.

Each person that I meet I try to remember them by name. It tells the individual that I see that they have intrinsic value, for each human being is made in the image of God. There are times when I get angry with someone and I want to rip into them, it is then that I remember who created them. It is a lifetime journey to be refined, the imperfections to be removed so that each person will truly be restored to the image of God.

It is only God though who truly knows each thought we think...Psalm 139 says You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely O Lord...Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths you are there...For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

There is accountability and security in this knowledge. God loves me unconditionally no matter what I say or do. However, there is nothing that I can say or do without being seen by HIM! Therefore Eccl 12:13 is the beginning of wisdom: Fear God and keep His commandments, this is the whole duty of man! To fear God, it begins with the knowledge that He is the only one who loves me without condition, therefore out of the knowledge of what HE has done for me, I want to love Him more and love others as well...