Will You Leave a Mark?
Ecclesiastes 1:4-8
In this lesson we are going to look at the 3 natural elements, sun, wind, and water to see how they leave their mark upon the earth. We will make a spiritual application from this for us to leave a mark and as we will see this will be done by following the example of the sun, wind, and water.
In verse 4 we see the statement that generations come and generations go, but he earth abideth forever. Is this statement true? The answer is a little tricky. We know from 2 Peter 3:10-12 that one day God is going to destroy the earth with fire. But Solomon is not contradicting that because he is writing Ecclesiastes from the viewpoint of man. So, we must be careful with this book. From the viewpoint of man generations have been coming and going since Adam, but the earth does remain.
It is interesting that after Solomon says what he does in verse 4 that he gives three examples of elements that all have a cycle and all directly affect the earth. Each of examples are connected to giving life, you can get energy from all three, and they can also be very destructive forces. With that being said it is safe to say that these definitely leave a mark upon the earth.
How can we leave a mark?
A question that we must ask ourselves is will anyone know that we were here many years after we are dead. The answer will usually depend upon what you do while you are here. Let us look to the examples that Solomon used and see how we can leave a mark.
1) The Sun (verse 5)
- In this example we see that the sun sets everyday but also rises every day. Even if it is cloudy the sun still came up.
- From this example we see faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2)
- No matter how many times you fail or fall down you must get back up (Proverbs 24:16) with out faithfulness you will never make an impact for God.
2) The wind (verse 6)
- In this example we see a reference to power. If we are going to leave a mark, especially in regards to doing something for the Lord we are going to have to do it in the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7).
3) Water (verse 7)
- As with all these examples we see that they have a cycle or a course, but this is especially true of water. Water usually flows somewhere.
- If we are going to make a mark or have an impact for God that will last we must have a course and keep on track (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
In verse 8 we see the key to making a mark is constant labor. If we will work for God with the faithfulness of the above items we too can leave a mark upon the earth.
Will You Leave a Mark? Handout
Ecclesiastes 1:4-8
1) Is verse 4 true or false? Give explanation.
2) What can we learn from verse 1?
3) What do the Sun, Wind and Water in the passage have in common?
4) How can we leave a Mark?
5) What is the key to leaving a Mark?