Do you remember your high school days?  Some prefer to forget them, others still live in them.  The point of me asking is that very few people are today what they were back then.  For some, that’s a good thing.  For others it isn’t as good, they are a shell of what they used to be.  The reason?  Life happens…

Between marriage… career… children… health… and the unexpected, people change over the years.  Some flourish, others wither.  Some soften, others are hardened.  “The same sun that softens wax, hardens clay” (Amy Carmichael).

Solomon wrote this about our existence as recorded in Eccl 11:9-12:1…

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them…”

In other words… while you are young and you can… enjoy life!  If you want to sky-dive… DO IT!  If you want to go white water rafting… DO IT!  If you want to ride every major roller coaster in the United States… DO IT!  Just remember that one day we all stand before God (11:9b).

Notice Solomon writes… (Paraphrase) “And don’t forget God while you’re doing all the things you want to do…” (12:1a).

Our life experiences pile up in our heart.  We carry them with us as long as we live.  We have a hard drive in our soul that doesn’t erase what is written to it.  At odd times… often at night… when we’re alone… and in our dreams, those things replay over and over.  If/when God through Jesus has been the guiding force in our life, those replays are joyful.  If/when we have strayed from God’s protective fences (His commands), those replays trouble us and we feel burdened.  We live under the cumulative effect of our choices.

The good thing (For Christians), when it comes to the sins of our youth… those failures are taken from us.  Our conscious isn’t burdened.  Our soul isn’t “vexed.”  Our joy is still with us.  I know that because of Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The wrong choices made while in high school… forgiven!  Romans 8:1

Those mistakes make while in college… forgiven!  Romans 8:1

Those failures in marriage… forgiven!  Romans 8:1

Those blunders in raising children… forgiven!  Romans 8:1

The memories that haunt us from the past… forgiven!  Romans 8:1

The beat down we get just because we live life… Romans 8:1

Suggestion: Live each day in a way that when you stand before God you won’t be ashamed.  Live each day to its fullest, enjoying the blessings God offers.  Make godly choices in everything.