Embracing Life's Surprises: Finding Joy in Time and Chance

Preliminary:

Read Ecc 9:11-12

Ecclesiastes 9:11–12 KJV 1900

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Introduction

Time and Chance

two words filled with hope expectation, dread, anxiety, fear of the unknown and possible

Two words that sum up the human experience while on earth

King Solomon pondered these questions about why and how come when he set his heart "to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 1:13). After his study of the vagaries and uncertainties of human experience, he concluded that "time and chance happen to them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

The preacher lists five reasons why time and chance happens to all

1. The “fastest person” may not always win a footrace.

2. The “most seasoned and powerful warriors” may not always win a battle.

3. “Wisdom” does not always assure people of success.

4. “Cleverness” or “intelligence” may be accompanied by poverty.

5. No one can foretell their death or escape it when the time comes.

We especially see this referenced in Ecclesiastes 9:4–5 “4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”

To break these verses down:

Hope in Life: The passage begins by emphasizing that as long as someone is alive, there is hope. This hope is contrasted with the finality of death. The imagery of a live dog being better off than a dead lion underscores the value of life itself, regardless of one's status or circumstances.

Awareness of Mortality: The next part highlights the awareness that the living have regarding their mortality. They know that death is inevitable and that life is finite. This awareness can lead to a sense of urgency or perspective in how one lives and values their time on earth.

Lack of Consciousness in Death: The passage then contrasts the living with the dead, stating that the dead know nothing. This is not a statement about the afterlife but rather about the state of consciousness after death. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it suggests that in death, there is no further experience or consciousness of earthly matters.

Absence of Reward or Recognition: Additionally, the passage notes that the dead have no further reward. This echoes the theme of Ecclesiastes regarding the temporal nature of life and the idea that earthly achievements or recognition cease to have meaning after death. Even one's name, which may have been significant in life, is forgotten over time.

NOTHING PARALYZES OUR LIVES LIKE THE ATTITUDE THAT THINGS CAN NEVER CHANGE. WE NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT GOD CAN CHANGE THINGS.

OUTLOOK DETERMINES OUTCOME.

IF WE SEE ONLY THE PROBLEMS, WE WILL BE DEFEATED; BUT IF WE SEE THE POSSIBILITIES IN THE PROBLEMS, WE CAN HAVE VICTORY. WARREN WIERSBE

The truth is we can go to our fight or flight responses or we can trust in God who is still God even in time and chance happenings.

I want to talk to you a little bit with God’s help about Embracing Life's Surprises: Finding Joy in Time and Chance

Ecclesiastes could be a book that brings on a frown.

But I want us to look at it in a way that might just turn your frown upside down.

Our passage is all about the unexpected twists and turns of life, and how we can find humor, joy, and even inspiration in the midst of "time and chance" moments.

Point 1: Life's Roller Coaster

Life is like a roller coaster, isn't it? Ecclesiastes reminds us that the race isn't always to the swift or the battle to the strong. Sometimes, it's the unexpected turns—the loops and drops—that make the ride memorable. Think of those moments when you planned for A and ended up at Z, but discovered something wonderful along the way.

Illustration: SA frantic woman approached my co-worker outside of the healthcare facility where we work. Her dog had escaped from her home while she was out, she said, and was last seen running near the busy freeway.

My co-worker and I ran toward the free-way, spotted the dog, and spent the next hour running around until finally catching it. Hot and winded, we returned to work and handed the woman her dog.

Fifteen minutes later, she pulled back up. “This isn't my dog,” she said. “My dog was safe at home.” She then handed us the extra dog and drove off. —KENNETH E. PURSELL Garland, TX

We just never know what is coming our way - and one of the best ways to endure it is to hang on and roll with is.

Like the EMT I read about recently

I'm an EMT. I once responded to a man complaining of an insect crawling into his right ear. But more bothersome was the burning sensation in his left ear. That’s when we noticed his wife holding a bottle of insect spray. Turns out, she had sprayed insecticide into his left ear thinking it would “flush” the insect out of his right ear. I had to explain to her that our ear canals are separated by our brain.

—REDDIT.COM

Point 2: Embracing the Unexpected

Instead of fearing the unknown, let's embrace it! Ecclesiastes teaches us that "time and chance happen to them all." That means we're all in this unpredictable journey together. It's what makes life exciting, isn't it? Who wants a boring, predictable existence anyway?

In his new book, The Dirty Tricks Department (St. Martin's Press), John Lisle describes the Coordinator of Information (COI), a spy agency that preceded the Office of Strategic Services and the CIA, as often disrespected. At a party, an admiral called the COI a Tinkertoy outfit. COI leader William Donovan said, “I don't know, Admiral, I think we could get your secret files and blow up your ammunition dump before midnight.” The admiral laughed.

Donovan excused himself and made a phone call. Within an hour, his agents “broke into the admiral's office, cracked his safe, removed secret documents and sped them over to Donovan,” Lisle writes. “Next, they snuck into the ammunition dump and planted fake dynamite.”

At the end of the party, Donovan handed the shocked admiral the contents of his own safe. He then informed him where to find the “dynamite.”

Point 3: Finding Laughter in Life's Quirks

Laughter is truly good medicine, especially when life throws us curveballs. Ecclesiastes encourages us not to take ourselves too seriously. After all, we're just a small part of this grand, mysterious universe. So why not laugh at the absurdities and enjoy the ride?

A relative of mine, a minister, once performed a wedding ceremony in a car. The pair were too old and frail to get out, so he got on his knees in the front seat and turned to them in the back.

After declaring them husband and wife, he told the groom, “At this time, it’s customary to kiss the bride.”

The weary groom responded, “Go ahead.”

—PEGGY LEWIS Greenville, SC

Conclusion: As we wrap up, remember that life's surprises, both big and small, remind us of our humanity and the beauty of living in the moment. Let's embrace "time and chance" with open hearts and a sense of humor, knowing that every twist and turn adds richness to our journey.

Ultimately remember - if you belong to God you are in His hands and he knows everything you face, he is in control and knows how to help what ever time and chance comes your way.