Susan LaffertyEarly in my adolescent years, Mom remarked, “If Dad said the sky was blue, you would say it’s green.” Her words stand out in my mind.
Although I most likely protested (duh), inside I knew she was right. As I grew, maturity glossed over that stubbornness.
But pride still hovered close to the surface.
I was 29 when I married Todd and 33 when our first child was born. Suddenly a lot of “set in my ways” was unset and upset.
Then we arrived in Pakistan in 1992.
Stay the course.
Hold on. Hold fast.
Endure. Persevere. Keep walking His path.
We hear these instructions but sometimes hesitate to take that next step.
So, to the inexperienced, anxious about what’s ahead, the Lord repeats “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:9).
What do I pursue?
Solomon, a king known for so much wisdom, left it on the shelf. And chased after worldly things. Marrying into idolatry. Multiple times.
Ecclesiastes starts off and continues in a prominent theme that reflects the king’s view after these pursuits. All is meaningless.
Every part of life takes on the flavor of futility. Restless forays into fruitless searches for meaning.
And the writer declares everything “futility and striving after wind.” Over and over.
