What Are You Pursuing In Life?

Comments received by the Forest Service on registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips: "A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call." "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections." "Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness.” “Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands." "Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals." "All the mile markers are missing this year." "Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse." "Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill." "There are to many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests." "Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter." Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them." "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals." "Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights." "Need more signs to keep area like new." "A McDonald’s would be nice at the trail head." "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked." "To many rocks in the mountains." It seems that some people are just never satisfied! They just aren’t satisfied with what they have. Christ came some two thousand years ago, to provide for us eternal life. And, unfortunately it seems as though some people are simply not satisfied with what God has done, even though He has given the very best. Have you found what you are looking for in life? As we prepare ourselves to enter another new year, look to Jesus Christ, for He is the only one that can satisfy the longings of your soul!

What are you pursuing in life?

Eccles. 1:2 2:20-21 5:13-15

A few years ago there was a song that you might be familiar with called “Gentle on My Mind.” It was sung by Glen Campbell. Do you remember it? In this song he relates a story about a man who longs to be free. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “FREE?” To do what you want to do with no restraints, to not have to please anyone in what you do, to have all the money and time that I need to do what I want to do, to not have to obey some of the laws that hinder the way I want to live, to not be tied down to a job and to not be in debt. Well in this song he tells about a life that is not messed up with an agreement that is binding or that is free of a lifetime obligation to a person or family. His song brings up the past that keeps “Gentle on His Mind.” He sings that he would like nothing in his life that would tie him down. He is looking for a back road that will give him satisfaction. Have you heard that message from others? In “Blue Highways” the author tells about his taking such a journey. He took a trip across America to find places where change did not mean ruin and time was not a big factor in life. He traveled to such places as Dime Box, TX, Scratch-Ankle, AL, Remote, OR, Nameless, TN, Whynot, MS, Igo, CA. He wanted to leave his life of thoughtlessness and meaninglessness to a quiet simple life. He came back home. Most of us have some time entertained thoughts of going down some back roads to get away from the fast paced life we experience. For some it is a vacation of a lifetime but they come to an end and we have to return home to the grinding of everyday life again. However we get away we try to escape what we think is the pain of everyday life.

1. Let us look at a man who had an opinion from his life.

There once was a man who had money, was young and full of energy and time. He was free to pursue because there was nothing or no one who could restrain what he wanted to do. He left a record of this for us to read. It is Ecclesiastes and his name Solomon of whom the Lord gave wisdom such as no other man has had. He starts by telling what his life has brought. It is my desire in this message and ones to follow to help you think about how important you are, that we mean something to ourselves, others and God. I know that if you feel good about yourself and with your relationship with others and God you will be a better person and you will make this world we live in a better place. I have an opinion that all of us have asked these questions: Why am I here? Does my life count? How do I make sense of everyday living?