Perspective for the new year

I've started doing something as I finish one year and begin the new....I've started reading the book of Ecclesiastes in one sitting at the end of the year. I just finished these 12 chapters a few minutes ago and am thinking about Solomon's words as he talks about his observations on life and God. "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity!" are some of the most familiar words in this book. "There is a time for everything..." became the lyrics of a popular pop song in years past. This little book is rich with observations from Solomon and his conclusions about life. It's a great way to calibrate your life and thoughts as you finish one year and start another. It's quite humbling to realize how little we control, how little we know about our lives and the days ahead. It's humbling to know that we each will quickly be forgotten once we are gone. It's humbling to be reminded that we are not God. It's a great book to read at the end of one year as you begin the new one.

Eccl. 12:13 Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.