Beyond the Weekend: Making Sense out of Life
Making Sense Out of Life highlights sections of a book often considered confusing and generally unexplored—Ecclesiastes. There is a latent discomfort we all feel as life can be overwhelmingly disappointing. Ecclesiastes recognizes this meaningless to live and addresses it head-on. This series helps us find meaning in the monotony of life and gives us perspective on what God desires to do both in us and through us.
Ecclesiastes
Week 1 Verses: Ecclesiastes 1:1-10
Week 2 Verses: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Week 3 Verses: Ecclesiastes 2:17-24
Week 4 Verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Week 5 Verses: Ecclesiastes 7:1-10
Week 6 Verses: Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14
A Good Name
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death is better than the day of birth. Ecclesiastes 7:1
Read: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Listen: Ecclesiastes 7
TODAY'S MESSAGE
The poet of Ecclesiastes says that a good name is better than the fragrance of a fine perfume. In this chapter, he talks about a few characteristics of the person with a good name—they live for a purpose, listen to wisdom and have the patience to finish. When this was written, a good name was necessary for your ability to find a spouse for your child, procure land or get a job. You had to be trustworthy to succeed.
A good name still matters today. Companies spend billions of dollars every year to make sure they have a good name. That’s why we are always asked to do a five-star review for every product we use and company we support. An individual’s good name and reputation can influence the types of jobs they land, loans they get, and opportunities passed their way.
The world looks to the church and to Christians to see Jesus. Our good name matters. As we look at three characteristics of a person with a good name this week, our prayer can be that our good name and the lives we live reflect well on the name of Jesus.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Find a quiet place where you can spend a few uninterrupted minutes and begin this week with prayer. With your hands open and outstretched, ask the Holy Spirit to move in your heart this week. Pray for humility and the openness to be challenged by the Ecclesiastes poet.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
