It’s better to do the Hard Stuff
“It is better to go to the house of
mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the
sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the
heart of fools is in the house
of mirth.”
Eccl 7:2-4 (KJV)
This
Scripture presents a mindset that is a polar opposite of what we often hear in
America. We hear the message of just live and enjoy life! Smile more and don’t
think too hard. The Word declares a different message right here, though. Read
the verses above again slowly.
“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house
of feasting.” That Scripture has impacted me big time as a young Christian man.
I have seen two applications which I’d like to share with you. 1) Is it really
better to just feast on life or to consider and contemplate some of its
hardships like death. If death comes so quickly, how should I live my life?
Should I really just not stress about the small stuff, or is the small stuff
what determines whether I’ll ever make it to the big stuff (faithfulness
principle, Luke 16:10)? While almost everyone young seems to cheer, “just have
fun and experience life!” think about your actions. Look at what Ecclesiastes
11:9, 12:1(KJV) say:
“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth;
and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of
thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into
judgment. . . . Remember now thy Creator in the days
of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou
shalt say, I have no pleasure in them”
2) Going to a funeral
may actually be for your benefit. Preachers know that at a funeral many more
people are open to Christ that may be very stubborn at other times; the reason
is because the people are considering death and its reality right then.
Eternity seems much closer.
Another point on
funerals: even as a Christian, I was impacted by going to a couple of funerals.
This verse was in my mind around those times and the tragedies that had
occurred also brought many to the side of the family and sharing of the impact
that the deceased had made. I was speechless and struck to the heart—life is so
fleeting and next to accepting Christ, reaching and touching others lives with
Him is very important.
What we have looked at
today is probably not the most encouraging, but it is the Word. Let’s pray:
Lord
Jesus, may You speak to us by Your Holy Spirit who You said will lead us into
all truth (John 16:13) and give us insight into what we should do with what we
have read. Lord, may every heart be receptive and moldable to Your small, still
voice speaking to them. In Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name, may these things be
done. Amen.
