Welcome to Day 2397 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 12:1-6

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2397 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2397 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 from the New Living Translation. These verses are a poignant reminder about the inevitability of aging and the importance of remembering our Creator throughout our lives. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us. Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 (NLT): 1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. 4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. 5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral. 6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. Remembering Our Creator: Solomon begins this passage with a heartfelt exhortation: “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore’” (verse 1). This verse underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with God early in life. The vigor and excitement of youth can often lead us to neglect our spiritual lives, but Solomon warns against this. Instead, we should honor God while we are still young and full of energy. Remembering our Creator during our youth sets the foundation for a life that is grounded in faith and purpose. It helps us navigate the challenges and temptations that come with youth and instills values that guide us throughout our lives. By honoring God early, we build a strong spiritual foundation that sustains us as we grow older. The Inevitability of Aging: In verses 2-5, Solomon vividly describes aging: “Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.” These verses are a poetic and poignant depiction of the physical and mental decline that accompanies aging. Solomon uses metaphors to describe the weakening of the body: dimming eyesight, trembling legs, stooping shoulders, and fading hearing. He also touches on the diminishing opportunities and increased fears that often come with old age. The message here is clear: aging is inevitable, and its physical and mental declines are unavoidable. By remembering our Creator and honoring Him in our youth, we prepare ourselves for the challenges of aging. Our faith and relationship with God become a source of strength and comfort as we face the realities of growing older. The Fragility of Life: In verse 6, Solomon emphasizes the fragility of life: “Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.” These metaphors illustrate the delicate nature of life. The silver cord and golden bowl represent the preciousness of life, while the water jar and pulley symbolize the sustenance and continuity of life. Life is fragile and can end unexpectedly. Solomon urges us to remember our Creator and establish a relationship with Him before it’s too late. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are meaningful and aligned with God’s purpose, no matter when our time on earth comes to an end. Key Takeaways: As we reflect on Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 12:1-6, several key takeaways emerge:

1. Honor God in Your Youth: Establish a relationship with God early in life. The excitement and vigor of youth should not cause us to neglect our spiritual lives. Honoring God while we are young sets the foundation for a life of faith and purpose.
2. Prepare for Aging: Recognize that aging is inevitable and brings physical and mental decline. By building a solid spiritual foundation in our youth, we prepare ourselves to face the challenges of aging with strength and resilience.
3. Acknowledge the Fragility of Life: Life is delicate and can end unexpectedly. Remembering our Creator and living in alignment with His purpose ensures that our lives are meaningful, no matter when they come to an end.

Applying These Lessons: How can we apply these lessons in our daily lives? Start by prioritizing your relationship with God. Make time for prayer, reading Scripture, and reflecting on His presence in your life. Establishing this foundation early on will guide you through the various stages of life. Acknowledge the inevitability of aging and take steps to prepare for it. This includes physical preparations, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and spiritual preparations. Cultivate a deep and abiding faith that will sustain you through the challenges of aging. Live with an awareness of the fragility of life. Let this awareness inspire you to live each day with purpose and intentionality. Seek to honor God in all that you do, and trust in His sovereignty over your life. Conclusion: As we continue our trek through life, let’s carry these insights with us. Honor God in your youth, prepare for the inevitability of aging, and live with an awareness of the fragility of life. By doing so, we align ourselves with Solomon’s timeless wisdom and navigate life’s complexities with grace and purpose. Join me next time as we delve deeper into the wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Until then, keep seeking wisdom, cherish each moment, and continue making a positive impact on the world around you. Reflect… If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!