Man's Lot - It is A LOT!

Ecclesiastes 3,4

Something Solomon said really struck a cord with me today... actually several things I'll really have to meditate on... but a couple verses got me really thinking.

Do you think we over analyze life? What is all means and what it is for? Here's what Solomon said, see what you think. 3:11 He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

There are a couple of big things here. First, Solomon says that God has "set eternity in the hearts of men." That statement is incredible! God, an everlasting, never ending, always and forever creator put a tiny spark of that eternity in our hearts. Perhaps this is why as our bodies begin to fail we begin to long for what's next - a life without pain and bad joints and headaches and broken bones. Now, the reality is that we can not "fathom" or fully understand tiny spark that God placed within us, but we can't deny it either. We were created for-ever. Wow! That is incredible! And helps me understand a little why sometimes we get freaked out by the concept of eternity - we have a bit of it, but can't figure it out! The same way I get freaked out by a Rubik's Cube! I have it, it was all put together at one point... but I can't fathom how in the world to get it back the way it was! (yes, I have tried to follow the directions!)

The second thing Solomon says has to do with out work. Lots of well meaning Christians think that if you enjoy life you are somehow sinning in some way. If you find pleasure in life then that in itself is evil. Apparently we are supposed to make ourselves miserable so that we have a better time in heaven... what could be better than heaven?! No matter how great life is, Real Life will be even better! Solomon has a different idea (and he was the smartest guy ever to live!). So, he says, "there is nothing better...than to be happy (cool) and do good (love God/others) that everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction... this is a gift from God." So, I am to find satisfaction in the work I do that provides me with the means to eat and drink and be happy AND to do good! That is Great! This satisfaction in a days, no matter what it is (short of sinning) is FROM GOD!

So look, we have within us the spark of eternity - which we can't understand, but God has given us the ability here on earth to work, to provide for ourselves and others, to be happy and use what we have to do good and the satisfaction we gain from doing "good" in a world that is finite is from God.

If that is a gift from God then, thank You Lord. Help me to live everyday to the fullest. To work hard and rest well. To be happy no matter what and to do good wherever I go. And I can thank You for it all.