It has been my observation that life can look very unfair if we do not view it through the lens of God’s eye. Ecclesiastes 7:15-20 says “In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be over righteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city. Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” [NIV]

Shedding the old ways, the old self, the old attitudes, the old pattern of life is not trivial nor is it easy. Habits are difficult to abandon. This disposition, extraction, adjustments of the old self is a work of God. If they are not of Him, then the adjustments will fail. The adjustments are not a work of passion or heated exuberance; we are not talking about the emotional fire of a revival tent that exudes a zeal for God. Rather we are talking about deliberate, conscious actions, yielding to the wisdom of God.

If the changes are forced on us, we will surely develop pride or conceit of our own ability to bridle our actions in accordance with the Law. We will start finding fault with everything that does not exactly align with our personal view of godliness. We start busying ourselves with the matters of other people, failing to see the logs in our eyes because we are sooooo busy getting all our friends on board with the latest ‘trend’ in godliness. It is true that we can live an ok life with ‘knee jerk’ reactions to the latest trend blowing through our local churches, but I think that there is a better way.

I think if we are to really respect and fear God who created this universe (not a scared, cowering fear), if we are to express a healthy respect for God’s power and righteousness then we will express a desire to emulate Him within our limited capacity. We will gradually develop the need (desire) to serve others, to be steady in the fiercest storms of life, to exude a quiet joy when things are going ‘really good’ rather than some kind of ‘jumping jack flash’ approach to good things. A steady heart, unmoved by any circumstances softens many an angry confrontation. Wisdom brings us to the waters of stability, the calming strength that overwhelms resentful affronts with gentility. Passion has its place, but it must be bridled and managed, or it will bring much trouble to our doorstep.

Solomon tells us (Ecclesiastes 7:23-26) “I am determined to be wise … Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it? So, I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search for wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.“ [NIV]

I think that Solomon, in his search for meaning, felt deluded and foiled by real life. He was earnestly trying to walk with God, but with a few steps closer to God came a step or two backwards away from God. He felt his search was mostly stumbling in the dark. Then comes the awareness of how companions influenced him. He was unable to find companions that shared his interests. He felt trapped. Yet, he also knew a strong woman could be our best friend, she would know our habits and be a sounding board against poor behavior; she can remind us of the original path we set forth on; she can ask the questions that no one else on earth can ask of our actions and behavior. Being one with us, she would know us best and encourage the best for us (implied in Ephesians 5:22-33). What are we asked to do? Love this woman as Jesus loved the Church and died for the Church. Love her even unto death.

I choose Jesus.