The End Of The Matter Series

P. J. Alindogan tells the story of 30-year-old friends who had a reunion and were discussing where they should go for dinner. Somebody suggested that they meet at The Glowing Embers Restaurant because the waiters and waitresses there are young and beautiful. They all agreed.

Fifteen years later, at 45 years of age, they met and discussed again where they should have dinner. Somebody suggested The Glowing Embers because the food and wine selection there are very good. They all agreed.

Another 15 years later at 60 years of age, they once again discussed where to meet. Somebody suggested The Glowing Embers because you can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke free. They all agreed.

Another fifteen years later, at the age of 75, the group discussed again where they should meet. Somebody suggested that they should meet at The Glowing Embers because the restaurant is physically accessible, and they even have an elevator. They all agreed.

Finally, 15 years later at the age of 90, the same group of friends discussed one more time where they should meet for dinner. Somebody suggested that they should meet at The Glowing Embers because they had never been there before. And they all agreed (P. J. Alindogan, “Communicate and Relate,” The Potter's Jar blog, 3-25-12; www.PreachingToday.com).

It’s amazing how things change as you grow older and not always for the better. But here’s the good news! Your declining years are not the end of the matter. They do not have to define who you are and the meaning of your life. If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Ecclesiastes 12, Ecclesiastes 12, where the Bible describes “the end of the matter,” or what life is really all about.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” (ESV).

Earlier, Solomon said, “Remember that the days of darkness will be many” (Ecclesiastes 11:8). Now, he says…

REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR…

before those days of darkness come, i.e., before you grow too old to enjoy life.

Now, remembering in the Bible means more than just recalling someone or something to mind. It also means responding in an appropriate way. So, to remember “that the days of darkness will be many” means enjoy the days of light while you can. And to remember your Creator means submit to Him as such.

God gave you life and He can take it away. He is your Sovereign Lord, so respond to Him as such. Respect Him, obey Him, and serve Him before you grow too old to do it well. Commit your life to Him, giving Him the best years of your life, not the leftovers. Remember your Creator…

Ecclesiastes 12:2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain (ESV).

Commit your life to the Lord before the storms of old age come. Remember your Creator before…

Ecclesiastes 12:3 …the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed (ESV).

Commit your life to the Lord before your hands shake, before your legs are bent, before you lose your teeth, and before the cataracts dim your sight. Remember your Creator before…

Ecclesiastes 12:4 …the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low (ESV).

Commit your life to the Lord before you are shut in, before you lose your hearing, and before you lose your sleep. Even though you can barely hear the music, a little bird wakes you up early in the morning. Remember your Creator before all this happens. Remember your Creator before fear sets in.

Ecclesiastes 12:5 They are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets (ESV).

Commit your life to the Lord before the fear of heights or traveling stops you in your tracks, before your hair turns white (like almond blossoms), before you lose your mobility (like a wounded grasshopper), and before your desire fails—literally, before the caperberry breaks. Now, the caperberry was an ancient aphrodisiac, thought to stimulate sexual desire. So, when the caperberry breaks, it fails to stimulate you anymore. Today, we’d say the Viagra stops working. Remember your Creator…

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 …before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (ESV).