The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 12:11-14, “The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

Life is filled with distractions! Have you not noticed? Some “things” are worth the time and energy necessary to understand and employ them in life. Many are not. Why then, do we fritter away our time with “meaningless things” instead of investing it in things of proven value?

Solomon cites the value of words originating from wise men. He says that they are like goads, proding us onward toward what may well be viewed as a worthwhile goal –a goal given by the Shepherd. Simultaneously, His warning is that “excessive devotion to books” is wearisome overall.

Have you not noticed that those who consistently warn us against certain things, incessently engage in them themselves? We need variety in almost everything. Certain foods may be more desirable than others; yet, even they must occasionally be “tempered” or changed.

What we must not forget is to “fear God.” That does not mean to be afraid of Him; rather, it
means to love Him so sufficiently that His desires will become our desires. And the things He hates will become the things we also despise. No one says all of this is easy. But things that are easy are often not worthwhile.

Think today of some unessentials in your life and erase them from your interest. Read your
Bible. Glean truths from His Word and apply them to your life. In the process of time, those applications will be more and more meaningful. And as they are, you will become more like Him!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom