Issue 1,128 – Castle Ruins – April 12, 2023
Last night Kathy and I were watching an old BBC Show. One scene was set in the ruins of an ancient castle in Yorkshire. I was struck by three things: the enormous scale of the fortress and its grounds. Secondly, all the time, money and effort that must have gone into its creation. Lastly, all that effort and expense ended up being just another ruined castle.
I am sure the castle served its purpose for many centuries. Yet, I am equally confident the builders made something they thought would last forever.
King Solomon knew that frustration. He had “Been there” and “Done that” to everything his world had to offer and came to recognize that none of it fulfilled or lasted.
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
We all build things we hope will last. They may not be physical castles, but we hope our legacy will somehow continue. There is a deep human need to be known and remembered.
Some people build empires, and others tag walls and fences with a graffito (that isn’t a typo, graffiti is the plural form). Some long for and pursue championship pennants, rings and trophies. Some people chase fame by giving large amounts of money to have streets and structures named after them.
Perhaps our own desires aren’t as visible or overt. Maybe we pursue our legacy and build our castle walls more subtly. Still, we are prone to do it.
The problem with such empire and legacy building is that it must end. Even those who remember us will eventually be forgotten. The monuments we build will fall into decay and ruin or become valueless over time.
Humans were created with eternal souls designed to be in constant communion with the God who created and loves them. Nothing else will fill that need.
The Lord knew us before we were conceived and will continue loving us beyond this life. The Most High God will never abandon us or stop loving us.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1
There are things in this earthly life that are prudent to do. It’s wise to save a little money, maybe even build a castle to protect from invaders. Yet, let us focus on the things that truly last forever.
As believers, our identity and legacy remain rooted in being children of God.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1John 3:1
We have an inheritance that lasts. May we follow that and rejoice in our Saviour, King and Creator.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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