As I was reading this morning, I came across something that both challenged me and encouraged me.  You know its a good thought if it can do both of those things.  It was the kind of statement that said to me, yeah keep going, keep pushing.  Yet at the same time it said, go harder, push with added strength. 

What is this statement you say?  I will tell you.  It is found in the book of Ecclesiastes.  A very interesting book I must add.  Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon.  Here is a pretty wise thought for the day. 

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.  I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake these all.  Moreover, man does not know his time; like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared in an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.”  Ecclesiastes 9:10-12

Sounds good huh?  Whatever your hands find to do, I love that phrase.  Basically do everything with all your strength.  Keep pushing hard, going strong, and with great diligence.  Very interesting.  Do you ever run out of steam?  Do you ever want to just throw your hands in the air and say, take a break for a while… I’ve worked hard?

Well even though there are times when I will be the first person to say I am so exhausted and I should just take this one easy, or go light on it, Solomon in all his wisdom reminds us that is not a wise thing to do.  He writes in verse 12 that Man does not know his time.  He compares us to like fish caught in a net, or birds who have been trapped in a snare.  We are here on this earth for a short time, and we have these days and hours to make a difference for our God. 

So, today whatever your hands find for you to do, wether it be sports, school work, your job, your friends, whatever it may be, do it with all your might. 

~Peter