A Word for Our Arbor Family
In Ecclesiastes, the Hebrew word Hevel is used thirty-eight times. Hevel means a vapor or smoke, something you cannot grasp. A quote attributed to Solomon says everything is hevel. Toward the end of his life the wisest man to ever live realized that we have little control over what happens so why do we worry so much about what we have little or no control over!
Most of us spend a great deal of time trying to manage what was never ours to control. We worry about outcomes, relationships, provision, health, timing, and the future. Yet Ecclesiastes reminds us that even wisdom, strength, and planning cannot guarantee the results we want. That truth is not meant to discourage us; it is meant to free us. If life is like vapor, then our peace cannot come from controlling it. Our peace must come from trusting the One who holds it.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 says “Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and change happen to them all.”
Solomon reminds us that life is uncertain, but Paul reminds us where to bring that uncertainty. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God is not asking us to come to Him with polished prayers or perfect words. He invites us to come honestly—with our fears, questions, gratitude, grief, hopes, and needs. Nothing we bring to Him surprises Him. In fact, honesty and vulnerability often opens the door to deeper trust.
So, during these 21 days, let us lay down what we cannot carry, release what we cannot control, and bring our requests before God with thanksgiving. May this be a time when our Arbor family grows in unity, faith, surrender, and expectation. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know the One who holds tomorrow.
Most of us spend a great deal of time trying to manage what was never ours to control. We worry about outcomes, relationships, provision, health, timing, and the future. Yet Ecclesiastes reminds us that even wisdom, strength, and planning cannot guarantee the results we want. That truth is not meant to discourage us; it is meant to free us. If life is like vapor, then our peace cannot come from controlling it. Our peace must come from trusting the One who holds it.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 says “Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and change happen to them all.”
Solomon reminds us that life is uncertain, but Paul reminds us where to bring that uncertainty. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God is not asking us to come to Him with polished prayers or perfect words. He invites us to come honestly—with our fears, questions, gratitude, grief, hopes, and needs. Nothing we bring to Him surprises Him. In fact, honesty and vulnerability often opens the door to deeper trust.
So, during these 21 days, let us lay down what we cannot carry, release what we cannot control, and bring our requests before God with thanksgiving. May this be a time when our Arbor family grows in unity, faith, surrender, and expectation. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know the One who holds tomorrow.