Is there anything new under the sun?

While reading the Bible, I am always fascinated by the character of Solomon, the great king. His ambitions were pure. He asked God for just one thing - wisdom, and in addition to marvelous wisdom, he received tremendous wealth and worldwide fame. His writings inspire me to seek God's wisdom and reap its benefits, as he did. Unfortunately, Solomon didn't continue in his wisdom and had to spend the rest of his life in spiritual blindness. Ecclesiastes, the last of his books, is poisoned with pessimism and negativism. However, being well-written, it is frequently quoted by many men and women.

"There is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9), said Solomon. "There is nothing new under the sun", millions of people repeat after him. But, wait! Do you really believe that there is nothing new in the world? Are you convinced that it is good for us to approach life in this way?

Someone said that we all have two options. We can either live, thinking that nothing is a miracle, or we can live, thinking that everything is a miracle.

Let me continue this thought. On one hand, we can live like there is nothing new under the sun. Can you think of anyone who follows this pattern? They don't believe in change. They don't believe in progress. They don't expect people or conditions to become different. They scoff at enthusiasts. They laugh at optimists. They call themselves "realists". Doesn't it sound familiar? I wonder if this mentality is what the Bible calls "the wisdom of this world".

On the other hand, we can live like everything in the world is new and exciting. We can choose to see newness even in ordinary things. We can believe that there is a potential of transformation in everything and everybody, including us. When you decide to see the world as a work in progress, two things happen. First, you discover God behind every change, and, second, you find yourself as God's agent of change!

"Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5, KJV), says the Lord. Should we expect this to happen at some time in the future? No, it happens right here and right now - if we have eyes to "behold", to see it.

"My Father is still working, and I also am working" (John 5:17), says Jesus. His work is a work of constant transformation, renewal, quickening and unfoldment.

By God's power, you are different today from what you were yesterday. Tomorrow you will be different from what you are today. It is important for us to see this and to consciously cooperate with God's creative energy.

Let the realization of God's truth set you free from every discouragement. Don't lose heart if you can't yet see the changes you desire. Your dream calls for their fulfillment. Your efforts to transform your consciousness and your conduct are not in vain. Nothing you do is in vain. Vanity is just an illusion. Vanity is but a state of mind that is too narrow to see the big picture. You will reap what you sow. This is the universal Law of Life that cannot be broken under any circumstances. Trust this law, and it will lead you through life to your greatest happiness and greatest achievements.