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Reflections Podcast
Reflections Podcast
Reflections • Episode 24
One Handful of Rest
15m • June 2, 2021

How can we approach our responsibilities in life with wisdom and a healthy mindset?

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How can we approach our responsibilities in life with wisdom and healthy mindsets? In this episode, we open the book of Ecclesiastes and discover some practical advice for how to live realistically.

Bible Reading Ecclesiastes 4:4-12

Reflection Questions

  1. Everyone can relate to the desire to either escape or control their lives. Which approach do you relate to most?
  2. What specific area of your life are you inclined to escape or control right now?
  3. What would it practically look like for you to engage that area of your life with open-handed trust? What's one small step you can take today?

Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes Message: Dr. Tim Mackie Bible Reading: Michelle Jones Production: Dan Gummel Theme music: Grant William Harold Background Music: "Approaching" by Be Still the Earth.

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2 Chronicles 36:22-23  –  13m
Looking Back to Look Forward
13m
Malachi 3:16-4:6  –  13m
Treasured by God
13m
Daniel 7:9-14  –  13m
There’s Hope in the Nightmare
13m
Esther 4:1-17  –  16m
Who Does God Choose to Work Through?
16m
Ezra 4:1-3, Isaiah 56:3-8  –  15m
Is God Inclusive?
15m
Ezekiel 36:22-36  –  14m
Promise for New Hearts
14m
Lamentations 3:19-33  –  14m
Learning How to Grieve from Lamentations
14m
Jeremiah 4:16-28, 1 Thessalonians 5  –  15m
The Deep Anguish of God
15m
Song of Songs 8:6-7  –  15m
Wisdom from Sensual Love Poetry?
15m
Ecclesiastes 4:4-12  –  15m
One Handful of Rest
15m
Isaiah 42:1-16  –  14m
Power of Metaphor
14m
Proverbs 1:1-7  –  13m
How to Live Wisely
13m
Job 38:1-18, Job 42:1-6  –  15m
How God Replies to Job’s Suffering
15m
Jonah 4:1-11, Exodus 34:5-9, 1 Kings 19:3-5  –  14m
God’s Mercy on Our Enemy
14m
Hosea 14:1-9  –  14m
What God Wants From Us
14m
Isaiah 61  –  12m
What Good News Looks Like
12m
1 John 1  –  12m
Message of the Prophets
12m
2 Kings 25  –  14m
What God Does About Suffering
14m
1 Kings 6  –  14m
Redeeming Disappointment
14m
2 Samuel 7  –  14m
Faithful Through Failure
14m
1 Samuel 2  –  13m
When You Feel Powerless
13m
Ruth 2  –  12m
How God Treats His Enemies
12m
Judges‬ 2  –  12m
When We Walk Out on God
12m
14m
Deuteronomy 30  –  11m
Understanding Ancient Law
11m
Deuteronomy 4  –  12m
God's Wisdom on Display
12m
Numbers 13  –  11m
Trusting God in the Wilderness
11m
Leviticus 25  –  13m
Gift of Rest
13m
Hebrews 10  –  12m
Meaning of Sacrifice
12m
Exodus 19  –  12m
Rescued for a Purpose
12m
Exodus 3  –  15m
When We Cry Out
15m
Genesis 32  –  13m
Wrestling God
13m
Genesis 1-3  –  15m
Why God Gave Choice
15m

Reflect

Once you've listened to the podcast, take time to reflect on these questions.

  1. Everyone can relate to the desire to either escape or control their lives. Which approach do you relate to most?
  2. What specific area of your life are you inclined to escape or try to control right now?
  3. What would it practically look like for you to engage that area of your life with open-handed trust? What’s one small step you can take today?

Go Deeper

If you would like to dive deeper, use these Scriptures and questions for personal study or small group discussion.

Message Question:
How did Tim’s message challenge or encourage you today?

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:4-12

The book of Ecclesiastes helps us adjust our expectations for what it means to live in a broken world. Ecclesiastes 4:4-12 outlines a few options. We can try to avoid the messiness of this world by folding our arms and sleeping our way through life. Or, we can clench our fists, work overtime, and try to control every aspect of life. Our third option of living in this broken world is better. The Qohelet says it looks like working with open-handed trust and rest.

  1. Meditate on verse 4. What is one specific way you’ve toiled to achieve something in your life? Do you relate to what the preacher says about it? What is something that others have that you desired? How did that desire drive your toil to achieve it?
  2. Consider the meaning of “chasing the wind.” Where does wind begin and end? Can you ever catch it? How does this relate to the problem of chasing achievements?
  3. It’s easy to swing from chasing achievement to giving up (verse 5). Reflect on the wise alternative that’s offered in verse 6. The Hebrew word for “handful” is kaph, and it refers to your open palm. How does this explanation help you understand this verse?
  4. Meditate on verses 8-12. What do relationships provide for us? What would it look like for you to put relationships ahead of personal achievement this week? From what you observe in the text, why does the preacher say this is better?
  5. Turn your reflections into a prayer to God. He’s real. He hears you. Take time to talk things out with him.
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