Looking Back at 2018

by Jim Weikal

“Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

As you look back at 2018, how do you feel? How were those 365 plus days? Your 52 weeks? Hopefully you don’t feel as Solomon did nearing the end of his life that it was all “vanity” or “pointless.”

You may be looking to set some new goals for 2019:

better house, lucrative job, career advancement, new car, wedding, weight loss, an island vacation, perhaps.

None of these objectives are naturally bad, but how about some spiritual goals:

read some verses of Scripture daily, pray for family, fill a need in your church. You can think of more ideas yourself.

Following Solomon’s evaluation of his life – after decades of pleasure, prestige and security – he has this advice to share with you as you seek to set goals for 2019:

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

So, set high and lofty goals like fearing God and keeping God’s commandments. For someday this same God is going to look back on your days and what is He going to see?