Young People's Group

Time and Chance Happen to Us All

by Mitchell Tan
October 23, 2015

DEVELOPING OUR MIND AND OUR LIFE WHILE WE CAN

Young people, we have one short life. We could either live it well or waste it. It is important for us to develop it to our greatest potential. This was something noted in the book of Ecclesiastes.

“The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favour to men of skill …”
Ecclesiastes 9:11

King Solomon noted a list of things that man can and should develop in his life. Is there a place for competitive sports in life? Yes, there is. Should we learn to how to be a strong soldier? Yes, we should too. Solomon goes on to list other things that man should seek to cultivate … like their mind, that they may be wise to earn a living and, with greater depth of understanding, to be able to gain much riches in life. Man can also find favour from other men because they are skilful in all that they do. These are things that we should develop in life. However, these things are not permanent.

RECOGNISING TIME AND CHANCE HAPPEN TO US ALL

“… But time and chance happen to them all.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11

Yes, we are to develop our life and potential. We also should recognise that time and chance have been given to all men. All of us are given a specific time on this earth. During this time on earth, chances are given by God to us … opportunities that we are to make full use of. Unless we make full use of them, we are going to waste them. Yes, we should develop our mind and life and yet, the success of any endeavour can only be determined by the time and chance given to us. Whatever time and chance we have, let’s use them with wisdom and with urgency. Why should we do this?

1. BECAUSE WE CAN BE ENTRAPPED BY THE EVIL INFLUENCES OF LIFE

“For man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.”
Ecclesiastes 9:12

We do not know what life brings our way. There are times when suddenly we can be ensnared by the problems and challenges of life. We can be trapped by the bad influences in this world if we are not careful.

2. BECAUSE DEATH ENDS ALL THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY DO IN LIFE

“For there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10

Death comes to all men. When death comes, we may no longer be able to work or plan things as we normally do. There would be no more gaining of knowledge and wisdom. Life ends at death.

DOING ALL THINGS WITH ALL OUR MIGHT

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might”
Ecclesiastes 9:10

The challenge of the writer of Ecclesiastes is to work hard in whatever we find to do in life. If we are a student, then let’s plan to work hard and do well. If this year was not good, then let’s plan to work even harder next year. Let’s not waste the opportunity that God has given to us to study and to work. Ultimately our life and our work are in the hands of the Lord (Ecclesiastes 9:1). Let’s trust that His hand will lead and enable us. Let’s do all things in life and ministry with all our might.

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