Key Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 – “I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?”

Devotional:

As I get older and have friends and family who have passed away, I am reminded that we only have a short amount of time here on earth. Solomon reflects on the commonalities between mankind and animals. He recognizes that in the grand scheme of life, we are not as distinct from the animal as we might believe. Like them, we too experience birth, growth, and death. He reminds us that Christ is what sets us apart.

We can look back on verse 11 to remember that “God has placed eternity on our hearts.” There is a desire to continue to live. Therefore, we want to know that there is something after this life.

For kids, death can be a scary thought. Experts say that around the age of 6 or 7 kids begin to understand the finality of death. It is important to have open and honest conversations about hard topics so that your kids know that when they have questions, they can come to you, and you will tell them the truth. I have found with my kids it has been so important for them to have a solid foundation of faith. Instead of focusing on death, I want them to know and truly believe that although we cannot see into the future, the Bible teaches us that there is life after death and that we can trust God. He always keeps His promises. Without this foundation, everything else just seems scary and hopeless.

The word vanity is another word for vapor. Think of spraying an aerosol can. The vapor that comes out is there for just a few seconds and then it disperses. Life is like that; a vapor that disperses quickly. This places an urgency on those who know Christ as their Lord and Savior, to share the gospel with those around us. We don’t get to know what will happen in the future, but one thing is certain, we will all die one day. So, sharing what Jesus did for us on the cross and inviting others to follow Him is truly the most important thing we can do.

We should lead by example in showing our kids how to seek wisdom from God and acknowledge that He is the ultimate source of guidance and understanding. Our time with our kids is limited, make the most of every opportunity to show them Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:

• Who was the last person you shared the gospel with?
• Take time to practice sharing the gospel with your kids. If they have not heard how you came to know the Lord, share that with them as well.