Ecclesiastes 3
KJV
22+ Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Ask again! “for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”
It is easy to forget that this journey that we’ve embarked on here on Earth is a one-way journey. We came with only a one-way return ticket. We can not return to our homes once we leave.
Our visas are one-way visas and are not renewable when they expire though under certain circumstances they can be extended but not renewed. Visa extension is discretionary and is subject to conditions set by the Issuer!
What is of great worry and concern to all travellers here is the undisclosed nature of the visas, especially their expiry date. No one knows when, where and how his visa will expire. How long we stay is undisclosed!
Though many have tried to inquire, investigate, speculate, propound theories etc; none has come out with any credible way of knowing when his/her visa will expire.
A hymn writer once said “Though men may search they can not find, for God alone does understand” Indeed the Issuer had stamped on the front page of our passport the following;
Deuteronomy 29:29
NIV
[29] The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
This was intended to warn us to desist from undertaking such inquiries and investigations!
This being the case how should we then spend our days/year’s etc.?
For the answers, we are privileged to have the memoirs of one person who knew this “one-way ticket “ phenomenon and spent his stay in a certain way so we shall consult him to know how we ought to spend ours!
There is a warning however, it is not everything he said he did that is recommended so read with care, caution and discernment! Readers are warned!
Before his visa expired he gave a brief expose of how he saw his stay, a frustrating and disappointing picture. Read it;
Ecclesiastes 2:18-24
NIV
[18] I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.
[19] And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.
[20] So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. [21] For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
[22] What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? [23] All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
Hope was not lost to him, read what he did and hence his advice;
[24] A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God
To conclude take note of the following; we came with a one-way return ticket. We shall not come back again. Our visas are non-renewable, even if extended they shall surely expire. As to when we are unaware. We wish we could know how many years remain on our visas!
Knowing this take his advice ;
Ecclesiastes 2:24
NIV
[24] A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
( Please do not “misread” or misinterpret the word “drink” to mean go and “ chill” you are a Ghanaian I know you 🤣)
But on a more serious note be guided by his final advice
Ecclesiastes 11
KJV
9+ 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
Ecclesiastes 12
KJV
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14+ For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
A holiday reading I share with you!
John Franklin Tamakloe