Thought for the Week
The word nothing doesn’t mean “non-existence.” It only means the absence of a specific or expected condition. For example, a buyer might ask a property owner whether there is “anything” on a particular parcel of land. But what the buyer actually means is, “Are there any human-made structures there?” Hence, the owner correcly replies, “No, nothing.” The parcel might, in fact, be teeming with life. But that’s not what the buyer is inquiring about.
Therefore, when a person dies and someone says they have “ceased to exist,” it can only mean that the temporary arrangement of cells called “Jordan” or “Lisa” has ceased to exist. The cells themselves live on, but they are in the midst of changing. And so too is the spirit that animated them.
“Therefore, remember your Creator
Before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is crushed
Before the pitcher is shattered at the spring
or the wheel is broken at the well
Before the dust returns
to the ground from which it came
And the spirit returns
to the God who gave it.”
Excellent point, Mitch. How arrogant to say that just because there isn’t something there that we want or understand, that what IS there amounts to “norhing”!
👏
Good message, Mitch.
Thanks, Mary.
Thanks Mitch – a good and thoughtful message to start the week.
My pleasure, Don.
Thanks for giving me something to think about this week!
My pleasure.
Great post
Thank you.
So true !
Interesting words this morning! Enjoyed your scripture, too. Happy afternoon!
Thank you.
There’s so much more we don’t know than what we do!
This is one of your more philosophical posts, Mitch. You have inspired me to pause and ponder my existence. 🛐
💪
verse 9 be strong
Very insightful thought shared. Thanks.
My pleasure, Bernadette.
Thanks for stimulating my brain, Mitch. 🙂
Brain massages while-u-wait, that’s me. ;>)
Love those verses ❤️❤️
Interesting!
Excellent real estate analogy.
Thankfully our souls continue on, and (pray to God) in a better place.
Thanks, and amen, Staci.
Beautiful thoughts you brought here. Nothing is Something… Have a nice day!
You too, Gustavo.
Great message, Mitch!
Thanks, T!
You’re welcome.
yep…and the last two lines of verse seven apply to EVERY ONE not just believers 🙂
Dude. That’s deep. 💜
Praise God we are not faced with “nothing” when our bodies cease to live. God has made a way for our spirits to return to him–through his Son Jesus. Now THAT’s not just good news, that’s incredible news!
I never thought of “nothing” in this way. I know of the philosophical consideration of nothingness, and the idea that “something” is always present. Now, as I think about death and your Ecclesiastes verse – then I am filled with such hope and recognition that indeed we all live on, and there truly is a heaven. Thank you, Mitch!
My privilege.
Beautiful remembrance! Thank you for sharing!
My privilege, Dr. Tom.
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I remember hearing that energy transforms, but it cannot be destroyed.
True, Pete.
Revealing post:) ‘Nothing’ can be seen as profound or complex philosophical concept – but equally, interpreted as v simple 🤔
Very true, Stephen.