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| Old Hop Barn |
"Except the Lord builds the house,
they labor in vain who build it."
From a Song of Ascents, of Solomon.
When the "Blue Mold Blight" swept New York in the early 1910s, a once-booming industry across the state -- hops farming -- was relegated to a back-row seat.
It's a potent reminder -- a parable, perhaps -- of how fleeting our efforts are in the scheme of things, certainly among factors beyond our control. This is one of the chief threads throughout the Book of Ecclesiastes, where the author (traditionally Solomon) emphasizes the futility of human efforts apart from God. His focus? Man's pursuit of knowledge:
"For who [limited to human wisdom] knows what is good for man in his life,
all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow
[going through the motions but accomplishing nothing]?
For who can tell a man what will happen [to his work, his treasure, his plans]
under the sun after he is gone?"
These words speak to me, as I can vouch for numerous years within the secular academic world where the goal was little more than to seek worldly knowledge (of all things "under the sun") and to excel in doing so. Looking back, I see how far I was straying from the One to Whom Wisdom ultimately belongs: God. The more I put my trust in my own efforts to strive and succeed, without a higher purpose or Person in mind, the more lost (and depressed) I became.
But with God all things are possible, and He is working restoration as we speak. With Him learning becomes a renaissance, a rebirth, as He continually opens up blind eyes, like my own, to see. For He alone is Truth, and in His hands "success" takes on an entirely new form: a personal, loving relationship with Him.
"A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life. Instead, ask My Spirit to guide you moment by moment. He will keep you close to Me."
~ Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, devotional for April 1
No longer need our labors be in vain, for though there are many things we can lose in this life, we can never lose God.
With gratitude to the Builder of our lives,
A compelling photo and an oh-so-true post! Thank you for addressing that pull of academia ... and your enlightened approach these days ...
ReplyDeleteYour words and photos always touch my heart!
;-}
Bless you, faithful blog friend! Your God-built writing, counseling, and living continually inspire me... Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
DeleteWishing you abundant joy,
HBHW
I love your last line. So much of the earth is temporary, yet we hold on to it like it is for eternity. And when we lose it all, we are devastated. So good to be reminded that it is only God who is eternal and who will never fade away.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Jen. I just had some sobering news, and your timely words are helping me see this post with fresh eyes. That timelessness we crave... It can be found only in God. And it is He Who holds our tears as we learn the difficult lesson of letting go.
DeleteMay the God of Grace bless you,
HBHW
Your photo is beautiful. Thank you for your beautiful message. So grateful for this ~> "for though there are many things we can lose in this life, we can never lose God." Thank you for sharing with TWW. Many blessings to you, friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you're here, Beth! Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteMy great-grandparents (and those before them) used to be hop farmers, so I had fun taking this recent photo and turning it into something more reminiscent of the late 19th century.
Thank God that we can never lose Him! On the contrary, "I will be found by you," says the Lord. "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13-14.)
But first, when we are lost, it is *He* Who finds *us*!
Hallelujah,
HBHW