I was living in Santiago with two of my closest friends for a semester abroad when I earned my college nickname: Kellen. It was one of those dear friends who coined the term, after witnessing me declare that getting ice cubes out of the ice tray was “literally the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life.” She softly sighed and said, “Ah, Kellen.” And thus my new name was born, and it’s stuck, apparently, given that some of my friends still call me some form of Kellen, Kel, or Kellie more than five years later.
When we returned to school in the states, others asked what had inspired my new nickname. My friend explained that it happened because, as usual, I was living a life of emotional extremes. My friends have always described me this way, that I’m either having the best day of my life or the worst—there’s not really much room for anything in between.
Living a life of extremes is exactly what the author of Ecclesiastes is cautioning against in today’s reading. Although one of the major themes throughout the book of Ecclesiastes is the pursuit of wisdom, and King Solomon (to whom many scholars attribute Ecclesiastes) asked God specifically for wisdom (1Kings 3:9–12), he still cautions the reader to not be excessive in their pursuit of it.
Have you ever heard the phrase “too much of a good thing”? I’ve often heard it used in reference to a delicious meal or dessert, when the decadence of the meal has caused a person to feel stuffed to the point of being uncomfortable. This is what the author of Ecclesiastes seems to be saying in this passage; there can be too much of a good thing. One’s pursuit of righteousness and wisdom can get to the point where it is excessive and no longer helpful, in the same way that a pursuit of foolishness can also be excessive. Instead, we are instructed to not be excessively righteous or overly wise (Ecclesiastes 7:16).
The key here seems to be the need for balance. Like we read in Ecclesiastes 1, when it comes to the pursuit of knowledge, we must be content with not knowing everything. There will always be more to learn, more to discover, and more ways to be wise. Our contentment can be found not in the extremes of pursuing all knowledge or in casting all wisdom aside for foolishness, but in fearing God while we are on earth, knowing that a greater glory awaits us.
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70 thoughts on "Wise Sayings"
I like the reminder that we can’t know everything and there is always more to learn!
AMEN!
I have heard it explained as an iceberg when approaching others with wisdom. Having knowledge is virtuous but does not always need to be projected on others. We can have much knowledge under the surface but by the Holy Spirit use only the necessary knowledge in the appropriate circumstance.
I pray for God-given knowledge everyday but also the understanding that I don’t have to know it all, because He does.
I am going with my mother to a Drs appt this morning because she seems a little unclear somedays. I have been praying to respect her and her dignity, to observe rather not be a know it all. Today’s reading on wisdom really helps put things in perspective.
I love seeing how God speaks to people differently when reading the same verses. It speaks out truth! Happy Saturday!
Amen!
Thanks for everyone’s responses here! I so appreciate them.
CHURCHMOUSE: praying for Julia, Heather and Jeremy! So glad Jeremy can join them in the hospital tomorrow.
CLAUDIA: Praying for your peace and leaning on God for the upcoming breast ultrasound.
DOROTHY: Praying for relief from the grief which is sure to pour out as Carol & Jake go through your niece’s belongings. Praying also for you!
Desiree and Sherry I thought I was the only one? “Kellen”??♀️
This is one of the best devotions I read, I needed this and it was a blessing.
Church mouse wanted to let you know I am also praying for you and your whole family. For the staff at the hospital and all that will be with Julia, for Heather and Jeremy as well . For you dear dear lady, you have blessed me more than words can say. My our Lord stay right there in the mist with you all. Praying
Be content in the not knowing. This is a struggle for someone like me who really loves to understand the why and make the pieces fit together neatly. Be content in not knowing why 2020 is a year of personal and corporate suffering. Not knowing what will happen with the pandemic. Not knowing how to make an impact on racial injustice. Not knowing why my family isn’t growing. God knows. Have faith it is enough. It is enough.
No, not getting what “Kellen” has to do with anything, but I can identify with being super happy or super unhappy a lot of the time!
Not sure if I’m way off here but I kinda thought it was a riff off of Helen Keller? Like comparing the difficulty of ice cube removal to being blind and deaf?
No, but I too am confused.
Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Good word!
Dorothy, my dear dear sister in Christ, praying for your sister, Carol and Jake, it is not going to be easy, but I pray that God shows up in the most amazing way through the tears, and the holding and being together, I pray His presence is so tangible, and that His peace that absolutely surpasses all understanding, be in your hearts..
Sending love wrapped hugs and prayers ❤
A tad late to the table..
But God knows..
Praying for little Julia, Churchmouse, and for the family as you wait today for her operation to be over…
Praying peace of heart for you all…
Sending love wrapped hugs and prayers.❤
I am in love with Ecclesiastes! This book is by far the most realistic to me and my life, and this day and time.. I can relate to almost every verse/teaching that is being told. A good name better than a fine perfume… boom! SO get it! Loving this deep dive into a book I knew very little of
Does anybody understand where the K for her nickname came from?? I don’t understand.
I think finding the balance is much easier said than done! I always strive to be perfect and when i obviously fall short in whatever sin I commit, I beat myself up over it for days. I need to learn to give myself the same grace that Jesus offers, while still trying to be obedient to gods word and avoid sin. I always need to remember that Jesus did come for sinners just like me, and he’s always waiting with open arms and boundless grace.
Do not take to heart all the things that people say. Such wise words.
❤️
Praying for little Julia and her parents, her doctors, and you, dear Churchmouse.
Praying, dear Churchmouse
Churchmouse:
Julia has been in my prayers every day since you shared her medical issues with us and she is there today as well. God bless her, her healthcare providers, parents, and you as you journey down this path together. May He give you peace and strengthen your faith in his everlasting and unfailing love.
loved today’s reading!
I have a prayer request today. Yesterday I received a phone call from the radiology place where I had my mammogram done. I need to go back and have an ultrasound down because the doctor wants to check something on my left breast. I do have a family history of breast cancer. Please remember me in your prayers. I would really appreciate it.
Praying, Claudia!
Praying.
Praying!
Dorothy, I will stop and pray now for your family and the difficulties you face. Losing someone is so hard, the uncertainty of this time and lack of closure adds to the weight of getting through. I am sorry. I will be praying.
Churchmouse, This is so like God…the last couple nights I have prayed for Julia. When you shared today about her surgery tomorrow morning, once again I bowed in awe to our Savior who laid your little granddaughter on my heart. It wasn’t me…it was all Him. It is just so very comforting to be reminded once again of how he goes before us so lovingly. I am honored to continue to pray. Our God is truly amazing.
CHURCHMOUSE and DOROTHY, Agreeing in prayer with you for your precious families. May they all feel the comforting Presence of God through the days ahead.
Wasnt* feeling too well
Praying for Julia Churchmouse! Also, my sister and I are actually going to have a conversation today since I was feeling too well yesterday. Praying I would be quick to listen, slow to speak and to anger, but would speak the truth in love.
Churchmouse, I will be praying for little Julia and her parents tomorrow. Thank you for the privilege of joining you in prayer. ♥️
Please be praying for my sister, Carol and my nephew, Jake. They are going to be coming to the apartment to start going through my niece, Molly’s, belongings to decide what they want to keep and don’t want to keep. I have told Carol she doesn’t have to worry about getting rid of what they doesn’t want that I will do that but it will still be hard on them.
I don’t know about anyone else but I had to go and read more in Matthew to really understand and comprehend the verse. I went back to verse 9 and started reading from there and the ground work was laid for the verse. These scriptures really hit home with me. Today here in the greater Kansas City area it has been raining off and on for a day now and it’s not supposed to stop for another day. Hard times for me. This is the type of weather that led up to the flooding in which my son died in 2003.
I need some of the balance Ellen mentions at the end of the devotion. I have a hard time balancing out my life. I will go for a week or two and not watch much on TV, not do much on my computer except devotions or emails or nursing education. Then I will binge on TV and just do my SRT and nothing else. Lord help me to get the balance I need in my life. Have a blessed day my sisters in Christ.
Church mouse my daughter’s both had cleft palates when born, and my youngest also had jaw malformation that required many surgeries as well. Between them we are at 10 surgeries now, with more to view, but they are 6 and 9 and doing so well! I find that as the kiddos get older the stress on parents changes since the kids take their cues from the parents. Knowing if they should be worried based on how their parents act. Praying that your daughter and son in law will be confident and calm, assured of God’s protection, and that it will rub off on your sweet Julia
Churchmouse, I will be praying for Julia. And what wonderful news that her parents can stay with her. GOD is good! 
Lizzie, those words “What matters?” Jumped out at me! The wisest person is the one who knows most on how to love God most and love their neighbor best.
Praying for Julia, and her family.
So blessed by everyone’s comments already this morning! Lizzie, Lisa Z, and Angela Sutherland I copied some of your comments into my journal – they spoke so much truth to me! God has really been teaching me to be quick to listen and slow to speak, especially with Him. Today God called me to 20 minutes of meditation and WOW it was hard. He placed on my heart that God doesn’t always call us to things that are easy, but He calls us to draw closer to Him. Like you said Angela, “coming in line with His ways and His plans for us is where we find our meaning.” Amen to that!
Praying for your granddaughter Churchmouse! Praise that both parents get to be present!
Oh Churchmouse, dear sweet Julia will be in my prayers as well as Heather, Jeremy, you, and all of your family, the surgical team…..
It’s so difficult for all of us to be forced to wait in our homes for answers, results, news…all the things we want immediately. We know that God is in control and has already gone before, so we thank Him for what He has done and will be doing. Hugs to you and loving blessings ❤️
Praise God! Heather just got word that Jeremy will be allowed to be with Julia and Heather tomorrow!
Praying for Julia, her family and the doctors.
Churchmouse, I will be praying….
May I grow in my ability to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Dear SRT friends,
Would you be so kind as to pray for our granddaughter Julia tomorrow at 7:30 am? All of six years old, she will undergo surgery at Children’s Hospital to yet again treat the venous malformation. Her chin, cheek and tongue will all be lasered. Her lip will require some suturing and her tongue tie will be released. All of this may affect her airway so please pray her breathing will remain open and clear. We’re praying for minimal swelling and pain postoperatively. Her mother, our daughter, Heather will stay with her and we’re hoping that Children’s will also permit her father Jeremy to stay as well (covid restrictions have limited to only one parent but that may be relaxed). There is a small possibility that Julia may not have to stay overnight so please pray for the Dr to have wisdom in making that decision. We are blessed to have a wonderfully skilled surgeon nearby to treat these malformations which only occur in one in 10000 children. Pray for peace for Heather and Jeremy. We know Jesus is present. We pray wherever they are, in whatever area of the hospital, that others recognize His presence as well. May their testimony be to the glory of God.
Thank you all so very much.
Praying for your granddaughter Julia for a successful procedure and speedy recovery!
Definitely will be praying for your sweet grand baby, her parents and all that are involved in her care. God is good and will provide!
Praying for your precious grandchild!
Pray God to pour out His mercy, grace, wisdom and love on all involved and to glorify His name in the process ❤️. Praying for the best possible outcome from this surgery and peace and comfort for parents, grandparents and especially patient Julia!
Praying for you and your family!
Churchmouse, I’m praying right now for Julia, Heather and Jeremy. God be with you all today and every day.
Lifting your family in prayer now Churchmouse.
Praying ♥️
Man, what a good word. In my own sinful heart, pursuit of righteousness (rather than the righteous One) so quickly sours into self-righteousness, and I’m prone to trusting in my own wisdom. “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom…” (Jer. 9:23)
Praise God, who graciously gives righteousness through faith in Jesus and not our own works (Phil. 3:9) and gives wisdom to those who ask in faith (James 1:5).
It is good to be a lifelong learner. It is not good to be a know-it-all. Humility is a wonderful virtue to cultivate. With it comes the wisdom to censor one’s words. In this divided political climate, there is much loud and rancorous discourse but little wisdom, little respect, little dialogue. Have we forgotten we are all made in the image of God? We all bear His likeness. We are all deemed worthy by our Savior, worthy to die for. Should not our words be tempered by these facts? “Human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” So timely. So timeless.
Thank you Churchmouse, this is a great reminder to view everyone as their true self, made in the image of God.
One of the kids I babysit says “what matters?” Instead of “why?” My family thinks it’s adorable so we say it sometimes too. But as I read this devotional, that question is very fitting, “what matters?” Riches, wisdom, righteousness, what people think of you, new things… No. What matters, is God. All of these things will pass away and, on our own, we cannot reach God greatness and His standards. But Jesus died on a cross, God sacrificed His Son, to pay the price for all our sins. Three days later, Jesus, God the Son, rose to life! Now, “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. Those who are in Him, have everything. What matters? Our God.
Angela, thank you for sharing your perspective of the lesson. I agree completely! I need to make a quick decision today about answering a call to serve for a month away from home. I’ve been praying that I not get ahead of God in this and that I can clearly hear HIS wisdom to lead me.
I hope everyone has a truly blessed day today!
Really enjoying the slow to speak reminders. Often I say much more than is needed. Especially with my husband and adult children. My great victory of yesterday was not offering suggestions as my husband looked over my son’s car. Not being a mechanic, perhaps it should have been easy to keep quiet. It wasn’t. But I experienced such victory keeping silent! Just trying to keep my two cents to myself these days. Not an easy project, but the reward for silence is sweet. When I think before speaking, or keep silent, I give the spirit room to move. This is always best!
I heard someone say once “you never have to apologize for something you didn’t say”. I love that and it’s been a safe place for me to land in so many situations!
Something I’m seeing from today’s reading, lined up with all the previous ones so far, is that what is truly “meaningless” is our own pursuit of the things Solomon describes. Even good, desirable things are meaningless if it’s our own pursuit leading us to chase them. The balance is, was and always will be God! coming into line with His ways and His plans for us is where we find our meaning. He will lead us away from a life of foolishness and into a life of wisdom….but we need to let HIM lead. When we take the reins, we veer off course and our pursuits lead to meaninglessness. Purpose is in His plans. The balance is not stepping ahead into what we think is our own wisdom and not falling behind into foolishness. Remain at His side, under His wing, walking in His wisdom. Oh, Father, may I lean into you and allow you to lead me today!
Thank you for this insight. Your willingness to share your understanding is appreciated.
Loved this !
Life is about balance and taking what we have for what it is. The Message translation for V14-“On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won’t take anything for granted.”
I know I swing back and forth as life comes. Stepping back and seeing that God arranges and is in both/all is comforting. Even when the yuck isn’t fun
That verse jumped out at me too. Sums up the meaning and point of having balance!
I love that line, “Neither explosive reactions nor an excessive pursuit for sensible ways of dealing with this are going to bring me closer to God.” I can surely be a pendulum of feelings myself that this accurately describes! I’m not sure yet how to balance out desiring what is good and right in this world while also resting in the Lord’s limitless wisdom!
I love this Bible book and every day of this plan I’m getting something really valuable out of the readings. Although I realise that first and foremost it is God’s word that is so inspiring, I also think a compliment to Ellen (or Kellen) would be in place, as your devotions in particular always seem to be such recognisable real life experiences to me. Definitely also this morning. Even though as a Dutch person, I’m not very much inclined to speak in terms of “the best…ever” or “the worst…ever” I struggle to accept that sometimes I am just not so efficient at work, not so excited to see my boyfriend or not so emotionally stable as I feel a woman my age should be… Great to be reminded that 1) these days are a reality of life before Jesus’ return and 2) neither explosive reactions nor an excessive pursuit for sensible ways of dealing with this going to bring me closer to God.