Disobedience is more often a result of neglect than deliberate intention. Life is all consuming, with many legitimate demands on our time and energy. Our heart is for God, but we’re simply overwhelmed.

We are accustomed to the concept of training. From sports to artistic accomplishment, our ability benefits from consistent training; learning specific skills to succeed in a certain activity. No surprise that the same is true in achieving a righteous life.

Behaviour originates within each of us. Knowing how we’re expected to behave, and then behaving in that way, is never guaranteed. It depends on what we allow to initiate our behaviour. Looking back, I can recall behaviour where I’ve disappointed myself. When I’m the centre of my world, then my behaviour is selfish. If I’m fearful, I may fail in my responsibility to love my neighbour.

There are certain unchanging laws in nature. Seeds, once planted, will germinate and produce the fruit that was embedded within them. In the same way, there are unchanging laws that underpin the ways of God. We can push against them, yet eventually the principle of that law will assert itself and we shall experience its consequences.

We are familiar with annual seasons. Writing EDWJ, I’m focused on nature’s rhythm here in the UK. Yet, wonderful news, EDWJ is read around the globe and so my winter is someone else’s summer.

Traditionally, the end of September is a season of celebration in the UK. Known as Harvest Festival, it’s a season of thanksgiving for the successful crop harvest. In a rural economy, harvests guaranteed feed for livestock through the winter, as well as provision of seed for the following spring’s planting.

Our time in this world is short lived and our activities impermanent. Ecclesiastes’ message is first to reflect and then to set some good priorities. In our striving for success, we may waste an opportunity to deepen our appreciation of God, who alone is eternal.

Knowledge represents all the acts, information and skills acquired through education and experience. It is our theoretical and practical understanding of something. Scripture teaches us that our great teacher is God. The Bible provides the source for knowledge of ourselves and how we can live full and complete lives on earth (John 10:10).

Jesus tells us to live in the moment (Matt. 6:34). Learning to do so is a skill that takes time to develop. Too often we can miss the present moment because we’re consumed with past regrets or future worries.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.’ (vv17–18) It is interesting to note that God speaks as the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12–13). Too often, it is the noisy soundtrack that accompanies so much of life that provokes our instinctive responses. God invites us to pause and discern God’s voice, wisdom itself.