How to Have a Great Summer (and a Great Life)—Guidance from Ecclesiastes 11 and 12.

I used the following (slightly edited) outline to share some thoughts with my College Class at church on Sunday. We finished a year-long study of Ecclesiastes, and through teaching the book, I have grown to love it more and more.

1.    Be willing to take risks. (Eccl. 11:1-5.)

What makes a good story makes a good life. If your life is about making enough money to buy a new car, a new iPad, and new clothes, you’re living a lousy story. If you want a meaningful life, give yourself to the cause of God’s work. Do something meaningful for a cause bigger than yourself.

“If you watched a movie about a guy who wanted a Volvo and worked for years to get it, you wouldn’t cry at the end when he drove off the lot, testing the windshield wipers. You wouldn’t tell your friends you saw a beautiful movie or go home and put a record on to think about the story you’d seen. The truth is, you wouldn’t remember that movie a week later, except you’d feel robbed and want your money back. Nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo.

But we spend years actually living those [kinds of] stories, and expect our lives to feel meaningful. The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won’t make a story meaningful, it won’t make a life meaningful either.” - Miller

2.    Live your days to the fullest. (Eccl. 11:6)

3.    Live with a pervasive awareness of God, and enjoy the moments He has given you now.  (Eccl. 11:7-10)

vv. 7-8: Enjoy the good experiences God gives you.

vv. 9-10: These verses are not saying we should be hedonists. “The Preacher’s admonition to follow your heart and the desires of the eyes may sound like dangerous advice. . . . But by now you know to think hard about what the Preacher means in context of his whole book. … Fulfilling your natural human desires is not wrong when it is done as God intended. This is precisely the reason for the final sentence of 11:9. . . . You must live aware of God in order to be joyful, and the result of living aware of God is a life of joy.” – Ramey

“Your innate desires may very well lead you in God’s will for your future. Young people normally wonder what to do with their lives. . . . One place to look for guidance is, very simply, at what you want to do. Natural aptitude and inclination are excellent guides; after all, God made no mistake when He assembled you and orchestrated your childhood experiences. Do not be afraid to pursue your heart’s desires, but do so constantly aware of God and His Word. Whatever He calls you to . . . will be the most joyful occupation possible.” - Ramey

4.    Remember your Creator while you are young. (Eccl. 12:1-8)

This is only one of three times God is called “The Creator” in the Old Testament. The point is that God designed you and the world you live in. He’s the one who knows how your soul is supposed to work, and how we become truly happy. So don’t live life apart from Him. Remember Him—consider Him. Put Him often before your mind.

Verses 2-7 are a poem about what it’s like to grow old. (Avoid a life of regret.) 

5.    Be awed by the Word of God. (Eccl. 12:9-12)

Solomon says he took the time to carefully craft “words of delight.” This is significant because it shows that the Bible is not a theology textbook—it’s much more than that.  This book is not just for our minds, but for our hearts. Take time each day to let this book touch your heart.

6.    To sum it all up: fear God, and keep his commandments. (Eccl. 12:13-14)

“The final poem of Ecclesiastes summarizes what we have to do. Remember everything included in the fear of God—it is the same as saying, ‘Remember God.’ This is the whole of man, everything there is to human existence. More than just duty, it is our purpose and our ultimate joy. God’s coming judgment is a terror only to those who oppose Him. To those who fear, love, obey, and enjoy Him, it is the guarantee of eternal life and fulfillment—beyond the sun.” -- Ramey