Ecclesiastes 12:6-8

No one is getting out alive

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.~ Ecclesiastes 12:7

I see people from every walk of life doing everything they can to get ahead in this world.  They accumulate material wealth, climbing the corporate ladder, and planning for a time when they can finally slow down, retire, and enjoy the “good life.” The irony? Everyone is preparing for the end of life but few are preparing for what comes after.

It’s almost comical when you think about it. We plan for college, careers, weddings, families, homes, and vacations. We invest in retirement, make funeral arrangements, and even decide how we want to be remembered, but many neglect the most certain and significant part: our eternity.

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes doesn’t mince words: this life is fleeting, and all our earthly striving is ultimately “vanity.” As poetic as this chapter is, it’s also sobering. He uses imagery like silver cords breaking, golden bowls shattering, and dust returning to the earth, to remind us that life is fragile, and death is inevitable. Our bodies will fail. Our plans will end. And in that moment, only one thing will matter: the condition of our spirit before God.

Below are some ways we can prepare in light of this truth? Ways to live now that prepares us for forever?

1. Remember Your Creator Now.
   Verse 1 says, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.” Whether you’re young or seasoned in life, the message is the same: don’t wait. Seek God now. Worship Him now. Don’t push off faith for another day that might never come.
2. Hold Life Loosely.
   Enjoy your work, your family, and your possessions, but don’t cling to them as your source of meaning or happiness. Keep an eternal perspective. Use your time, talents, and treasures to serve God and people.
3. Live with Legacy in Mind.
   Ask yourself regularly: Will what I’m doing today matter in eternity? Invest in relationships, speak truth in love, share your testimony, and disciple others. These things outlast us.
4. Surrender Your Control.
   Death reminds us we’re not in charge. The good news? God loves us and He is taking notes for what you accomplish in life that will count for eternity. Walk humbly, obey His Word, and keep your spirit in agreement with Him.
5. Prioritize Daily Time connecting with Him.
   Make it a habit to be with God every day. Read His Word. Talk with Him in prayer. Confess and repent often. Thank Him regularly. These spiritual rhythms prepare your heart and keep your soul anchored.

You only get one life here but your spirit will live forever. Don’t spend all your energy building a temporary kingdom and forget to prepare for your eternal home. Everything you see will fade. Only what’s done for God’s kingdom will last.

So today, I want to encourage you to remember this: you were created by God and for God. Your spirit will return to Him. Live like it. Love like it. Lead others toward it.

Let the truth of Ecclesiastes 12 reset your priorities, stir your soul, and remind you of what truly matters, not the length of your life, but the legacy of your faith. Because, none of us are getting out of here alive.

Today’s scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 12:6-8

6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well.

7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”

Journal Prompt:

• What am I doing today that will matter in eternity?
• Are there areas of my life where I’m overly focused on temporary things?
• Lord, help me to live with eternity in view.
• What steps can I take this week to “remember my Creator” and prepare my spirit for what comes after this life?