12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
The first truths we've come across in this section of scripture remind us that 1) God is wise and His plan is wise and 2) God's plan is mysterious to us. Those are two major pieces of the puzzle -- they're big. I look at those and see some "uphill climbing" in order to grasp and claim those promises. It's simple to say those things, but it's not always easy believe them.
The next two are the "downhill" promises -- the ones that, I hope, are a little easier and will allow us to take a break and sink into the first two. But, today's verses are quickly becoming some of my favorite verses in the Bible!
"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God."
Truth #3 -- Enjoy your life.
Solomon reminds us that even in the midst of circumstances that we may not understand, we cannot let what we cannot fully know about God's plan destroy what we can enjoy! (You may have to read that again. I did.) Yes, we cannot be God and we cannot control our circumstances. There is nothing we can do about it. So, Solomon in his Godly wisdom, says don't let that negate your present enjoyment of life.
We have a choice: to be miserable or to be happy. And it is so reassuring to me when I remember who my God is. He is not up there saying, "I gotcha!" in the midst of our circumstances or consequences. He is LOVE, remember? And with that love comes a desire to give gifts to His children that will make them smile.
Really, a verse that is changing the way I live is 1 Timothy 6:17 which ends by reminding us that we should, "... put [our] hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
This is a theme throughout Scripture! God says, "Don't be too uptight and serious! Have some fun, you people! I made work, but I also made play and fun and laughter and rest. I don't want you to miss out on the full experience of your life, including the fun stuff. When you enjoy those gifts, I smile with you!"
Look! Verse 13 says, "That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their work—this is the gift of God." Is that not just the best? God wants us to ENJOY -- enjoy good food, enjoy good drink, enjoy the things you do throughout the day. Soak it up and enjoy it.
One theme of Ecclesiastes is seasons. There will be a season when you're sad, but if that season is not now, enjoy it. There will be a time that you die, but today you're alive, so enjoy it. Today, while everything's okay, delight in it. If you have some unused candles in your house -- light them! If you have a gift card that's been traveling along with you in your purse for over a year -- go spend it! That friend you haven't talked to in six months, call them and get caught up; or heck, hop on a plane this weekend and go visit for a couple days! Rent a movie tonight that you've been wanting to see and curl up on the couch with a blanket and some hot popcorn. Go get a double dip of your favorite ice cream, sit down, and lick it really slowly, and just enjoy being. The list is limitless! But think of something you want to do, and do it, just for enjoyment's sake. These moments and pleasure, delight, laughter, and flavor -- they are all gifts to you from your Heavenly Father who smiles as you smile.
Two of my dearest friends are Dick and Shirley. They are in their seventies. Dick has a degenerative brain condition, and one day according to doctors, he will be in a wheelchair and his physical abilities will continue to decline. Knowing that that's coming, I would be tempted to live in fear and dread of the future. But not Dick and Shirley! They are always being with people and often times that means they're out of the house. So, if you call and they're not home, you'll get their answering machine and it will say, "...I'm sorry we're not home right now. We're out celebrating life! Please leave your..."
Celebrating life! Despite what may or may not come sooner or later, they refuse to let a diagnosis and the "what ifs" of the future stop them TODAY. They are absolutely delightful, joyful people.
I want to be like them. I want to celebrate life no matter what!
One of the greatest things I started when I was in high school was my "List of Things I Love." It was just a list I kept on my computer of all the little things that bring be delight. I had lost that list for the past few years after our move, but I found it again recently and giggled as I read what used to "delight me" when I was nineteen years old: patterned socks, Barnum's animal crackers in the box with a string, picking up developed photos, and being in a bathing suit and shorts (among literally hundreds of other things).
Now, I don't really care to walk around in a bathing suit as much as I used to, and I don't think you can even drop off film to be developed anymore -- can you?
Another thing on that list: long walks with Mom.
Times change. Seasons change. But no matter where we are, God wants us to delight in it now and to cherish it later.
Christ-followers are not expected to miss out on all the fun. In fact, they have more reason to have fun because they know from Whom all these good gifts come! It is a lie the Enemy tells that we should not enjoy what God has given us. He wants to rob us of our joy -- refuse him. God says, "Enjoy it to the full."
I urge us, as another way to honor God, enjoy what He has given. Soak it up. Have fun. Make a list of the "Things You Love" and add to it over the various seasons of your life...you will then suddenly find yourself on the path to joy and gratitude. It's a fantastic place to be!
So...what kinds of FUN are YOU going to ENJOY this weekend??
Molly Monroe
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