Perhaps a review of what this blog is about is in order. This is a blog which attempts to apply wisdom from the Bible to the lives of those who suffer from sexual addiction and compulsivity from a variety of worldviews and faiths.
This section is a continuation of the last week's blog. The fruits of one's labor may not bring about the intended outcome. Gathering wealth and focusing on it as the object of love in life is illusory. It brings no rest. This week the study continues this thought.
"I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner," (Ecc 5:13 NIV) Solomon makes a statement here which he will elaborate on. The "grievous evil" here is the thought of a sickness and is the same phrase used in 1:13 and 4:8.
"or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him." (Ecc 5:14 NIV) It is just as grievous an evil to lose all you have worked for in some misfortune. Both are a sickness to the owner. The context would point to the examples found in 5:1-7 and 8-9: corrupted power, the consequences of rash vows, and the inability to enjoy restfulness. The hope is that the father would be able to pass on at least some wealth to his son. A legacy--something that was tangible and demonstrated the fruit of his labor. But through misfortune there was nothing to pass on. As I write this the Dow has closed and closed up 96.53. But is of little solace considering its massive slide. The present economic condition that the US finds itself in has very little to do with the vast majority of Americans. This is an excellent example of a grievous evil that befalls those who live "under the sun."
We must now explore how this next verse plays into the writer's thought: "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand." (Ecc 5:15 NIV) Solomon presses the though of the unreliability of wealth to bring lasting value. the proverbial "You can't take it with you." Probably at least in part came from this verse. The writer states the obvious: You come into the world with nothing and you leave the world with nothing. Even if you can manage to hang on to the accumulation of the fruits of your labor. It is a hollow victory because it stays here as you go to the grave.
"This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?" (Ecc 5:16 NIV) The author brings into this observation the -by now familiar refrain of-chasing after wind, attempting to catch a vapor, the exhalation of life's breath. He returns to the though of 5:13 a "depressing misfortune."
The final verse in our meditation this week is "All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger." (Ecc 5:17 NIV) Affliction has to do with the word "grievous" of 5:13, 16 and literally means "sickness." This sickness returns the reader to the thought of "harm to the owner" or the gatherer as the case may be of verse 13. Darkness does not refer to physical darkness but the blindness that comes with being obsessed with life under the sun. This should bring light to the one living under the "sun(light)" but does not, he lives in darkness. Compare the thought here with 2:12-14. Anger and wrath (frustration) are the final conclusion of a life lived in foolishness and darkness.
As people who suffer from addiction and compulsivity we look for things, objects and yes, behaviors that can give us security. It takes at least a certain amount of financial stability to carry out addictive behaviors. But these things are illusory much as addiction is. It provides the illusion of satisfaction. But as we are all finding out now nothing is stable. This brings us back to step three: "We turn our will over to the care of God as we understood him." As people who are in recovery, we practice these principles in all our affairs. We are on a spiritual journey of progress not perfection. The transitoriness of this life and its attendant attractions present an alternate addiction. We must continue to live life under the sun connected to our "higher power" This is where our understanding of God becomes all important. Do we understand that he has restored us to sanity and everything else is increasingly less difficult? That God has all power and can and will take care of us through all circumstances.
I am reminded of the Osmond Family. This family of actors and singers had amassed a fortune but lost it through unwise investments. They filed bankruptcy but paid all their creditors back eventually. God can take care of those who entrust themselves into His care. My life is a testimony to this.
Our time is up for today so until next week: keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Solomon Project-Ecclesiastes 5:8-12
"It disturbs me no more to find men base, unjust, or selfish than to see apes mischievous, wolves savage, or the vulture ravenous." Jean Paul Sartre Thus we begin our next installment in Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 5:8 says: "If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still." (Ecc 5:8 NIV) Oppression here has the idea of extortion. Government officials were not in the business of helping the poor but of getting everything they could out of them. Social services were someone else's problem. Each official was under the care of another. Under his thumb so to speak. Ultimately the poor are their own resource. They have no one to draw from. Even Jesus recognized this fact he said "you will always have the poor with you. (Matt. 26:11) It is not just extortion or oppression but the denial of rights to the poor. One of the characteristics of the wise person is that he does not take a bribe. The poor had nothing to offer those officials before whom they may find themselves. The character of those officials was demonstrated when they had to yield a judgment for the poor.
"The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields." (Ecc 5:9 NIV) Solomon's growth in his kingdom came at a price. the growth of government brings layers of management. Everyone has to be paid. Even the king made something off of the land. Sad but true. Taxation increased. At the end of Solomon's reign taxation was onerous.
As usual Solomon tempers this evil with the opposite. 5:10 says: "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." (Ecc 5:10 NIV) Just as the poor can have too little the rich can become enamored with too much. Covetousness can keep the rich from enjoying what they have. The message or at least one of them in the book of Ecclesiastes is "Learn to enjoy what God has given you as you obey his implicit and explicit commands." We are commanded to love God and use things. Many times we get this reversed: We love things and (or attempt to) use God. This is never satisfying.
Verse 5:11 says: "As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" (Ecc 5:11 NIV) Another fact of life. As one's assets increase the need for care and protection increase. This means more servants workers etc. It also means more taxation. With wealth comes complication. The only thing that the owner gets from this is to see it. He can feast his eyes on it knowing that it is his.
Verse 5:12 ends the discussion with the concept that a complicated life of wealth doesn't make for a restful night's sleep. "The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep." (Ecc 5:12 NIV) I am reminded of the parable of the wheat and the tares told by Jesus "The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word making it unfruitful." (Matt 13:22) The laborer sleeps well because he has earned his wage for the day. He awakens the next day to probably do the same thing and be paid accordingly. There are no cares to this. The only thought is for himself and his family. He can sleep well. The rich could rely upon God for the safe keeping of his wealth knowing as Job said: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away." (Job 1:21). But wealth without trust in God is an unquiet position. Life becomes too unwieldy at that point and causes one to lose sleep over it.
What are the applications for us? Are you or have you ever been in a position to Lord it over someone else? I am reminded of a great quote by George Washington Carver: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong—because someday in life you will have been all of these.” The first order of training for leadership is to be a follower. Then continue to be a servant to those you lead. Easy to say hard to do. Lording it over people says more about you as a leader than it does those you lead. Are those you are leading becoming rich if not in fiscal resources then in knowledge, education and wisdom? The Biblical story of Joseph may be a good example of an excellent manager. By his prudent management he saved the country of Egypt from famine.
We find ourselves in an economy that is sadly focused on the needs (and sometimes the wants) we have. The uncertainty of the interaction of our political system with our financial system has never been higher. There is a distrust of our wealth and the power to hang on to it. As compulsive and addictive people we need structure to carry out addictive behaviors. This kind of uncertainty is cause for upheaval in our addictive system. We may want to act out more. We may attempt to control things we perceive that we can when we can't control the important things. We may try to micromanage eating, exercise, our children's behaviors our spouse's behavior our friends or our subordinates behavior. Trusting in God rather than financial security will ultimately bring a much needed rest. One of the promises of the Twelve step program is that fear will recede as we work the program.
In our daily meditation do we release these cares and submit ourselves to the care of God--even though we may know him imperfectly? This goes a long way to procuring much needed sleep.
Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
"The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields." (Ecc 5:9 NIV) Solomon's growth in his kingdom came at a price. the growth of government brings layers of management. Everyone has to be paid. Even the king made something off of the land. Sad but true. Taxation increased. At the end of Solomon's reign taxation was onerous.
As usual Solomon tempers this evil with the opposite. 5:10 says: "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." (Ecc 5:10 NIV) Just as the poor can have too little the rich can become enamored with too much. Covetousness can keep the rich from enjoying what they have. The message or at least one of them in the book of Ecclesiastes is "Learn to enjoy what God has given you as you obey his implicit and explicit commands." We are commanded to love God and use things. Many times we get this reversed: We love things and (or attempt to) use God. This is never satisfying.
Verse 5:11 says: "As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" (Ecc 5:11 NIV) Another fact of life. As one's assets increase the need for care and protection increase. This means more servants workers etc. It also means more taxation. With wealth comes complication. The only thing that the owner gets from this is to see it. He can feast his eyes on it knowing that it is his.
Verse 5:12 ends the discussion with the concept that a complicated life of wealth doesn't make for a restful night's sleep. "The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep." (Ecc 5:12 NIV) I am reminded of the parable of the wheat and the tares told by Jesus "The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word making it unfruitful." (Matt 13:22) The laborer sleeps well because he has earned his wage for the day. He awakens the next day to probably do the same thing and be paid accordingly. There are no cares to this. The only thought is for himself and his family. He can sleep well. The rich could rely upon God for the safe keeping of his wealth knowing as Job said: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away." (Job 1:21). But wealth without trust in God is an unquiet position. Life becomes too unwieldy at that point and causes one to lose sleep over it.
What are the applications for us? Are you or have you ever been in a position to Lord it over someone else? I am reminded of a great quote by George Washington Carver: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong—because someday in life you will have been all of these.” The first order of training for leadership is to be a follower. Then continue to be a servant to those you lead. Easy to say hard to do. Lording it over people says more about you as a leader than it does those you lead. Are those you are leading becoming rich if not in fiscal resources then in knowledge, education and wisdom? The Biblical story of Joseph may be a good example of an excellent manager. By his prudent management he saved the country of Egypt from famine.
We find ourselves in an economy that is sadly focused on the needs (and sometimes the wants) we have. The uncertainty of the interaction of our political system with our financial system has never been higher. There is a distrust of our wealth and the power to hang on to it. As compulsive and addictive people we need structure to carry out addictive behaviors. This kind of uncertainty is cause for upheaval in our addictive system. We may want to act out more. We may attempt to control things we perceive that we can when we can't control the important things. We may try to micromanage eating, exercise, our children's behaviors our spouse's behavior our friends or our subordinates behavior. Trusting in God rather than financial security will ultimately bring a much needed rest. One of the promises of the Twelve step program is that fear will recede as we work the program.
In our daily meditation do we release these cares and submit ourselves to the care of God--even though we may know him imperfectly? This goes a long way to procuring much needed sleep.
Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Solomon Project-Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
This week is a continuation of last week. Solomon comes back to the idea of idle or empty vows. Did you ever think what would happen if we kept every vow we ever made? our lives would certainly be different! As you read this think about how: How could my life be different? If I had followed through on all the things I ever pledged to do for loved ones, our fellow man and God.
Today's passage start out by stating: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow." (Ecc 5:4 NIV) This thought picks up where we left off last week. One who fails to fulfill a vow is like a fool. These vows may also have been made in times of stress when one was in need of God's help.
The author presents a contrast next: "It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." (Ecc 5:5 NIV) He says it is better to not say anything, make no pledges at all than to make them and not keep them. Our words are taken seriously by God, our higher power.
"Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?" (Ecc 5:6 NIV) When these vows were made they were made in the presence of temple attendants, be they gate keepers or priests. It was the job of those who labored in the temple to enforce vows made to God. According to Deuteronomy 23:21-23 to not keep a vow that was made was sin. They were freely made but binding when spoken. Solomon understood very well that knowingly sinning would place one under the judgment of God, and that was a precarious place.
Solomon concludes: "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God." (Ecc 5:7 NIV) The New Living Translation interprets the "much dreaming" as daydreaming. This could be a good alternate translation here. Dreams are referred to earlier in the passage. But here the reference is more to dreams that are empty (like the life lived without God) meaningless and are compared with empty words. Solomon reiterates that "under the sun" our place is to see God as He really is and stand in awe of Him.
As addicts and people who struggle with compulsivity. We may not be in a position to speak openly our promises and vows to God. Those promises to change, make amends, take corrective action are not taken lightly by our higher power. As we turn our lives over to the care of God we learn that we are not all powerful, that we can not speak reality into being as God did (Genesis 1:1-3 ff). As we speak we begin to believe the things we hear ourselves saying. The problem is when they don't jive with reality. Vows to change can be empowering and envisioning but not for the addict who relies on his addiction to maintain his life. Vows to change are sabotaged by the illusion addictive empowerment. For addictive and compulsive people change comes by acknowledging powerless and turning our lives over to the care of God. One of the most important components of this is accepting God as we understand Him. a spiritual journey of adventurous knowledge that never ends. Many of us settle for a view of God that is not equal to our "disease" or our needs. Our view of God must be ever growing so that we can truly be "in awe" of Him.
Personally this section has been most challenging for me and I have made changes in my financial commitments as a result of this passage. So until next week, keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Today's passage start out by stating: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow." (Ecc 5:4 NIV) This thought picks up where we left off last week. One who fails to fulfill a vow is like a fool. These vows may also have been made in times of stress when one was in need of God's help.
The author presents a contrast next: "It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." (Ecc 5:5 NIV) He says it is better to not say anything, make no pledges at all than to make them and not keep them. Our words are taken seriously by God, our higher power.
"Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?" (Ecc 5:6 NIV) When these vows were made they were made in the presence of temple attendants, be they gate keepers or priests. It was the job of those who labored in the temple to enforce vows made to God. According to Deuteronomy 23:21-23 to not keep a vow that was made was sin. They were freely made but binding when spoken. Solomon understood very well that knowingly sinning would place one under the judgment of God, and that was a precarious place.
Solomon concludes: "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God." (Ecc 5:7 NIV) The New Living Translation interprets the "much dreaming" as daydreaming. This could be a good alternate translation here. Dreams are referred to earlier in the passage. But here the reference is more to dreams that are empty (like the life lived without God) meaningless and are compared with empty words. Solomon reiterates that "under the sun" our place is to see God as He really is and stand in awe of Him.
As addicts and people who struggle with compulsivity. We may not be in a position to speak openly our promises and vows to God. Those promises to change, make amends, take corrective action are not taken lightly by our higher power. As we turn our lives over to the care of God we learn that we are not all powerful, that we can not speak reality into being as God did (Genesis 1:1-3 ff). As we speak we begin to believe the things we hear ourselves saying. The problem is when they don't jive with reality. Vows to change can be empowering and envisioning but not for the addict who relies on his addiction to maintain his life. Vows to change are sabotaged by the illusion addictive empowerment. For addictive and compulsive people change comes by acknowledging powerless and turning our lives over to the care of God. One of the most important components of this is accepting God as we understand Him. a spiritual journey of adventurous knowledge that never ends. Many of us settle for a view of God that is not equal to our "disease" or our needs. Our view of God must be ever growing so that we can truly be "in awe" of Him.
Personally this section has been most challenging for me and I have made changes in my financial commitments as a result of this passage. So until next week, keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Solomon Project Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
Today we will look at Ecclesiastes 5:1-3. They say that we speak a small novel everyday. That is a lot of words! The author of Ecclesiastes will tell us that we must make sure those words are short and meaningful in the presence of our higher power.
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. (Eccles. 5:1) Through the offering of sacrifices the ancient Hebrew people felt that they communed with God, their higher power. Through that communal time they may express gratitude by making vows of offerings that they obviously didn't have with them but could bring later. This is what he is talking about here. The problem is that some people would make promises and not keep them.
He continues on: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Eccles. 5:2) This continues the thought in the first verse. He is warning the readers that words ill-spoken can get you in to trouble. The basis of this is again in the religious laws that governed the ancient Hebrews' worship and relationship to God and their morality before him. To make vows before God and not keep them was a sin. This could incur the judgment of God. Solomon is telling the readers to recognize their place on earth and recognize God's place in heaven.
Verse three says: As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. (Eccles. 5:3) Just as when there are a lot of things going on in our lives we dream. We don't have control over them. So a fool when he speaks he doesn't have control over them either.
The applications to addictive and compulsive people are legion. How many times have we said to God something to the effect: "I'll stop tomorrow just get me home safely tonight." God I'll never _____again if you will just let me keep my _______. You fill in the blank. The problem is that the power to carry those things out isn't there because they are made in the midst of sickness and delusion. The addictive compulsive mind can't make sound decisions.
In recovery we soon learn that in the presence of our higher power we practice serenity. We listen quietly. We allow ourselves to allow him to be all that he is to us with the all important caveat "as we understand him." In the same sense we allow ourselves to be eveything we are and nothing we think we are. Our prayers are simple: We ask for the knowledge of his will and the power to carry that out.
God is not swayed nor amused by the many words and vows of fools that become sin to them. They result in judgement: The consequences of verbal vomit and constant badgering of God, family and friends. Those of us who suffer from addiction and compulsivity is that no one takes us seriously when we talk. As we move into sobriety and recovery we learn to say no when we mean no. Yes when we mean yes and apologize quickly (step 10) when we realize we have erred.
Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. (Eccles. 5:1) Through the offering of sacrifices the ancient Hebrew people felt that they communed with God, their higher power. Through that communal time they may express gratitude by making vows of offerings that they obviously didn't have with them but could bring later. This is what he is talking about here. The problem is that some people would make promises and not keep them.
He continues on: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Eccles. 5:2) This continues the thought in the first verse. He is warning the readers that words ill-spoken can get you in to trouble. The basis of this is again in the religious laws that governed the ancient Hebrews' worship and relationship to God and their morality before him. To make vows before God and not keep them was a sin. This could incur the judgment of God. Solomon is telling the readers to recognize their place on earth and recognize God's place in heaven.
Verse three says: As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. (Eccles. 5:3) Just as when there are a lot of things going on in our lives we dream. We don't have control over them. So a fool when he speaks he doesn't have control over them either.
The applications to addictive and compulsive people are legion. How many times have we said to God something to the effect: "I'll stop tomorrow just get me home safely tonight." God I'll never _____again if you will just let me keep my _______. You fill in the blank. The problem is that the power to carry those things out isn't there because they are made in the midst of sickness and delusion. The addictive compulsive mind can't make sound decisions.
In recovery we soon learn that in the presence of our higher power we practice serenity. We listen quietly. We allow ourselves to allow him to be all that he is to us with the all important caveat "as we understand him." In the same sense we allow ourselves to be eveything we are and nothing we think we are. Our prayers are simple: We ask for the knowledge of his will and the power to carry that out.
God is not swayed nor amused by the many words and vows of fools that become sin to them. They result in judgement: The consequences of verbal vomit and constant badgering of God, family and friends. Those of us who suffer from addiction and compulsivity is that no one takes us seriously when we talk. As we move into sobriety and recovery we learn to say no when we mean no. Yes when we mean yes and apologize quickly (step 10) when we realize we have erred.
Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Solomon Project Ecclesiastes 4:13-16
For those of you who have happened upon this blog for the first time, this blog is an application of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament of the Bible to people who suffer from addictive and compulsivity activities especially sexual addiction but can be applied to any addictive and compulsive activity. It is envisioned to be broad-based in its application and touch all faiths and belief systems. When completed we will have visited all the wisdom books written by Solomon and include Job. Each will be done in a years time.
This week we are dealing with Ecclesiastes 4:13-16. The author has just finished his musings over primary relationships and the importance that companionship has to helps us in the various stages of our life. He now turns this idea of interpersonal relationships around to professional relationships and the emptiness of wealth, fame,foolishness and power. The gist of the passage is the power and popularity and fame and control are fleeting and transitory "chasing after wind."
Verse 13 says, " Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. (Eccles. 4:13) Why would this be? At the very root of the answer is the dichotomy between wisdom and foolishness. The writer of Ecclesiastes sees wisdom as the better choice than foolishness in all circumstances. Some how royalty is not befitting foolishness and close-mindedness.
Verse 14 continues on, "The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom." (Eccles. 4:14) This is reminiscent of both Joseph and David his father. Joseph rose to fame in Egypt through wisdom and David rose from obscurity to fame in the very kingdom he would eventually rule. Saul was a foolish king.
Verse 15 states, "I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor." (Eccles. 4:15) Solomon was not unobservant of trends in his own kingdom or the dynamics of other kingdoms. In the ancient world political systems were full of intrigue and treachery i.e. Julius Caesar and the Ides of March. Solomon's rule came after Absalom's, his half brother's, rebellion. Solomon knew full well the unstableness of power and control.
Verse 16 brings the conclusion to this discussion: "There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." The writer sums up this discussion by saying this is all chasing after wind. Even when the popular younger ruler gained power and had all the people's support even then it waned and disillusionment set in. Solomon stated that this is an endless parade of people rising to power and falling.
Thomas Wolfe said, "You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity." There is great truth to that. Our society and the structures within it, be they corporate, political, religious or economic are built on a management style of power. Very few people know how to lead with power divested with such a dynamic that it can be regained as such a time as needed. The phrase "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." is sad but true. I have watched mangers shame, guilt and browbeat subordinates into the "corporate model." This was to achieve the bottom line. To some people power and control is a wonderful elixir. It is an addiction if you will.
People who suffer from addiction move through different phases of this they may be powerful in their business but powerless in their homes. They may be in control in their profession but out of control in their drug of choice be it sex prescription drugs, designer drugs, alcohol or sex. Fame and power only serve to create the illusion of invincibility. Ask Gordon McDonald. He stated in his book Ordering Your Private World that: "We must learn to soundproof the heart against the intruding noises of the public world in order to hear what God has to say." Unfortunately he had isolated himself so neatly that he never heard from other intelligent people who could challenge some of his decisions and fell from his prestigious pastorate after writing this same book. There is for the addictive and compulsive person a delusional concept of power. "Consequences will never happen to me." But they inevitable do. Addicts and compulsive people who suffer from sexual addiction particularly think they are in control of their acting out. They are in control of what they use, how they exchange money for sex or do not, and how others are used. It becomes increasingly out of control.
If any of this characterizes your life please look to whatever higher power you claim. get into relationship with others in recovery, and begin to take the most difficult of all steps a searching ad fearless moral inventory. You will not lose yourself you will find yourself and lose the addiction and compulsivity. Horace Greeley said: "Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident and money takes wings. The only thing that endures is character."
Our time is up for today, so until next time: Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're work it!
This week we are dealing with Ecclesiastes 4:13-16. The author has just finished his musings over primary relationships and the importance that companionship has to helps us in the various stages of our life. He now turns this idea of interpersonal relationships around to professional relationships and the emptiness of wealth, fame,foolishness and power. The gist of the passage is the power and popularity and fame and control are fleeting and transitory "chasing after wind."
Verse 13 says, " Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. (Eccles. 4:13) Why would this be? At the very root of the answer is the dichotomy between wisdom and foolishness. The writer of Ecclesiastes sees wisdom as the better choice than foolishness in all circumstances. Some how royalty is not befitting foolishness and close-mindedness.
Verse 14 continues on, "The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom." (Eccles. 4:14) This is reminiscent of both Joseph and David his father. Joseph rose to fame in Egypt through wisdom and David rose from obscurity to fame in the very kingdom he would eventually rule. Saul was a foolish king.
Verse 15 states, "I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor." (Eccles. 4:15) Solomon was not unobservant of trends in his own kingdom or the dynamics of other kingdoms. In the ancient world political systems were full of intrigue and treachery i.e. Julius Caesar and the Ides of March. Solomon's rule came after Absalom's, his half brother's, rebellion. Solomon knew full well the unstableness of power and control.
Verse 16 brings the conclusion to this discussion: "There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." The writer sums up this discussion by saying this is all chasing after wind. Even when the popular younger ruler gained power and had all the people's support even then it waned and disillusionment set in. Solomon stated that this is an endless parade of people rising to power and falling.
Thomas Wolfe said, "You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity." There is great truth to that. Our society and the structures within it, be they corporate, political, religious or economic are built on a management style of power. Very few people know how to lead with power divested with such a dynamic that it can be regained as such a time as needed. The phrase "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." is sad but true. I have watched mangers shame, guilt and browbeat subordinates into the "corporate model." This was to achieve the bottom line. To some people power and control is a wonderful elixir. It is an addiction if you will.
People who suffer from addiction move through different phases of this they may be powerful in their business but powerless in their homes. They may be in control in their profession but out of control in their drug of choice be it sex prescription drugs, designer drugs, alcohol or sex. Fame and power only serve to create the illusion of invincibility. Ask Gordon McDonald. He stated in his book Ordering Your Private World that: "We must learn to soundproof the heart against the intruding noises of the public world in order to hear what God has to say." Unfortunately he had isolated himself so neatly that he never heard from other intelligent people who could challenge some of his decisions and fell from his prestigious pastorate after writing this same book. There is for the addictive and compulsive person a delusional concept of power. "Consequences will never happen to me." But they inevitable do. Addicts and compulsive people who suffer from sexual addiction particularly think they are in control of their acting out. They are in control of what they use, how they exchange money for sex or do not, and how others are used. It becomes increasingly out of control.
If any of this characterizes your life please look to whatever higher power you claim. get into relationship with others in recovery, and begin to take the most difficult of all steps a searching ad fearless moral inventory. You will not lose yourself you will find yourself and lose the addiction and compulsivity. Horace Greeley said: "Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident and money takes wings. The only thing that endures is character."
Our time is up for today, so until next time: Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're work it!
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