A puzzled inquiry. A touch of humor. A knowing smile. An acknowledged warning. Many are the reactions to the clever and picturesque description of old age as penned by Solomon in the twelfth chapter of Ecclesiastes. There was a time when my attitude toward these matters was a bit more light-hearted and less-informed, at least from personal experience. Still, I smile as I read these words of Solomon. But it is more of a smile of acknowledgement—a smile of identification with the descriptive phrases under consideration.
This passage came to mind recently as Colleen and I were ordering drinks at a local fast-food drive-thru. Solomon said that “all the daughters of song will sing softly” (Eccl. 12:4). At times, I have wondered if being able to hold a dozen marbles in your mouth while speaking through an intercom is a prerequisite to receiving orders at a drive-up window. “ Excuse me?” “What was that you said?” “It sounded like you said that we just ordered a pound of ham and two orders of beans.” After several back-and-forth exchanges, we are reasonably satisfied that what we will receive at the window is, in fact, what we have ordered. Listening carefully for the amount, I turn to Colleen, asking, “What did she say?” “I heard, twenty-one cents. What did you hear?” Different answers spell trouble. It means that we will have to face the attendant unprepared. Is that weird, or what? Don’t answer that.
Most of the time we agree on the amount. This brings in a whole new set of challenges. Solomon spoke of “those who look through windows [that] grow dim…” (vs. 3). Trying to get the correct change together can be a harrowing experience, especially in the dark. Varying amounts of change can usually be found in little cubbyholes and containers in the vehicle itself. When these prove deficient or are filled with only pennies and a few nickels, we begin searching pockets and purses. Sometimes, when the line is short and you find yourself at the drive up window before you are ready—when the window attendant is leaning out threateningly with extended hand waiting for payment—things can turn ugly. “Look, here’s a quarter!” “No, that’s a nickel!” “Sorry, I don’t have my glasses on.” “That’s okay, my sunglasses don’t have bifocals.” Pressure is building—the leaning arm of the restaurant employee, the driver in the rear view mirror who is obviously better-prepared, with payment in hand. Sometimes, it makes a person feel like throwing a handful of change out the window, like drivers do at “exact change only” toll booths on an Oklahoma turnpike. But, instead, with a deceptive smile hiding my sense of failure, I turn to the attendant and say, “Here, take it out of this twenty.”
Life teaches many lessons. In the end, we need to listen and hear exactly what is required by our Master. Jesus said, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (Jn. 12:48). Good spiritual hearing is essential if we hope to have a favorable outcome when we are called to give account before the Lord (Rm. 14:12). At the same time, being able to present to Him in accordance with what He has required involves good spiritual vision. We can’t just throw something out the window! Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Obedient faith pleases the Lord (Hb. 11:6). It gives us vision to see and act upon the commands and promises of God (2 Cor. 5:7). Physically speaking, we are limited in what we can do about loss of sight or hearing. The same is not true spiritually. With God’s help and the right attitude, we can keep the windows clean and the daughters of song distinct and clear. Remember that better things await true children of God!