Ecclesiastes 1:14 NKJV
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

No doubt you’ve see them. Manes flying, nostrils flaring, wooden horses captured in colorful elegance gallop up and down on a carousel to the delight of children and adults. Traditional European merry-go-rounds turn clockwise, allowing proper equestrians to mount the ornately carved wooden horses from the left. However, Americans are less concerned with proper equestrian form that they are with the opportunity to acquire the much-sought-after brass ring. American carousels were designed in the nineteenth century to travel counter-clockwise, allowing riders to grab for the brass ring with their right hand. Any rider who could reach out and grab the ring was rewarded with a prize — a free ride on the carousel. In time, grabbing the brass ring became a metaphor for success and opportunity.

True success comes from setting goals, learning from mistakes, and strong faith, perseverance, and honest hard work. Those who disdain these elements prefer to ride a carousel seeking worldly success and will grasp for it in vain on an endless circuit. Instead of reaching for a shiny brass ring, let’s reach out to Jesus.