And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13
Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.
Ecclesiastes 5:18
So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this!
Ecclesiastes 9:7
Dear God, I read Ecclesiastes in one sitting yesterday, and this phrase kept popping up. As Solomon (again, I’m going to just assume Solomon although it could be someone speaking with his voice) considered life and its meaning, it seemed that he couldn’t get away from the idea of just finding happiness in indulgence because our lives are so small you might as well have some fun while you’re here.
There is something to be said for taking time for a little enjoyment. As I type these words, I am on the balcony of a rented condominium overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The ocean is roaring in my ears as the beginning of the sunrise are starting to show over the tankers anchored on the horizon. My wife and I went out and had a great dinner last night. We have indulged this week, and the time to relax has been good. It’s been a luxury. I’ve needed it. She’s needed it too. So yes, I do believe there is a place for this.
I think the important thing to remember is that the work “under the sun” is not a burden. It’s a “get to” and not a “have to.” Now there is some work that is just flat out hard. Harvesting crops. Roofing houses. But even this work can be mixed with worshipping you and submitted to you as our lives are submitted to you. Otherwise, if we carry this vision through life (the short lives we live) that our work is a burden then we will have spend so much of our lives thinking we deserve better. And no matter how much “better” we end up achieving, there will always be a happiness we never achieve.
Father, it reminds me of a VeggieTales my wife and I still joke about called Madame Blueberry. In it, our main character is in search of a happy heart. It feels like that is what Solomon is in search of in Ecclesiastes. He is trying to unwrap the mystery of the happy heart. For Junior Asparagus in Madame Blueberry, happy hearts are found in gratitude. And I think that can be true. But I think it starts even a step back from that and getting over my rights to the life, relationships, and situations I think I am entitled to. To quote Paul once again from Acts 20:24, “I consider my life worth nothing to me. If only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus have given to me. The task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace.” If I can truly get to that level and then do what Paul and James tell me to do in giving thanks in all things then I will find a heart that exudes love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Help me to get there.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
Emails to God 