GRASPING

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 1-2

"After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I hope to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world." Ecclesiastes 2:3

I don't know about you, but I am easily distracted.

But, according to Solomon's own words, so was he.

'...While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness...'

How quickly our minds are led from a great desire to a feeble temptation.

It happens when we're on the internet. We might be looking up a Bible verse, but before you know it, you're getting filled in on the lifestyles of the British monarchy or watching funny cat videos. And an hour of your life has passed by you.

It happens when we attempt a new diet. We munch and munch on apples and celery sticks the whole day, but when the television comes on and the first ad for potato chips is aired, we're off to the pantry for 'crunchy foolishness'.

It happens when we stop to hear a friend's prayer request. We are attentive to their needs, we offer to lift them up in prayer, we chit chat for a while, then the topic of the another's 'bless them Lord' poor choice is mentioned and the gossip begins.

It happens when we pause for our prayer time. We list our reasons to praise Him. We ask Him for forgiveness. We begin telling God all our needs, then our minds wander off and we are no longer speaking to the One who can take care of those needs. We are planning, organizing and instituting ways in which we can control each and every situation. We take it back into our own hands, we 'lay hold of the foolishness'.

I want to learn from Solomon's mistakes. I want to focus and remain focused. I want to seek wisdom and not stop until I have got it firmly in my grasp. I want to be so intent on knowing God's way that shiny, glittering things don't catch my eye any more.