A French Breeze
Do we ever doubt we are the best judge of our needs and desires? Foolishly still I am too inspired by me.
This misplaced self-confidence is the fruit of pride, that permanent foolhardy trust in self which inspires me only toward me.
French short story writer Guy De Maupassant (1850-1893) told a clever, very short story of a self-inspired young woman - The Necklace. It was first published on 17 February 1884.
A beautiful young woman of modest circumstance (and very dissatisfied in her low station) would live above her birth. After some conniving she was invited to attend an important function with her husband. Her husband gave her all His savings to buy an elegant dress, yet still she was most unhappy. Believing she had no suitable adornment she approached a wealthy friend. From her friend's vast selection of jewels she choose the largest pearl necklace to borrow. Somehow this necklace became lost, and the young couple were covered in despair. After much distress the wife found a duplicate necklace in a far jewelers, though it was very expensive she bought it with borrowed money and 'returned' the necklace to her friend. She and her husband then labored for countless years to repay the loan. Not long after the loan had finally been satisfied she happened to meet her friend. On an impulse she explained to her friend the events of the function many years previously. The friend replied: 'But my dear, my necklace was but paste; it was worth just a few francs'.#
Ecclesiastes describes such vanity as a chasing after the wind.
This parable catches pride, pretense and the donation of fleeting breath toward the transitory and thus the worthless.
Yet there is still nothing new under the sun, for it is in varying degrees aren't we all employed by futility?
We are each agents pursuing breezes or hoarding that which fades, rusts or is stolen.
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life,which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval. (John 6:27)
The Last Word:
Live and work for an audience of One,
#A SoulSupply paraphrase