In Ecclesiastes 2, the Teacher is on a hunt for wisdom. At this point in the book, he is frustrated. Things often don’t make sense. They often don’t work out as he’d like.
Can you relate?
That’s when he has a realization: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (verses 24-25)
In the context of the book, his argument is that these simple gifts from God can give enjoyment to our daily work, and can be encouragements from him as well—especially when life is frustrating or confusing.
This is helpful and gives us much-needed perspective about the place of the physical things in our lives. Physical things serve a purpose; they aren’t the purpose. In other words, things like food, our houses or apartments, our clothes, or even our electronic devices, can help us along in the journey of life, but they aren’t the purpose of the journey.
When things become difficult, take a look around. Is there food in the fridge? Are there shoes on your feet? Is there a gorgeous sky above you? Is there a friend to talk to? What if you thought about these things in a new way: as gifts from God which encourage you forward when life gets tough.
Physical things serve a purpose; they aren’t the purpose. So let’s be thankful for these gifts from God and use them well. With daily simple gifts, the Lord is encouraging us forward when life gets tough.
Notes:
–New podcast episode: “Your Throne Does Not Tremble—a prayer.” Click here, or find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
-Bible quotes, ESV.
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