The Good Life
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. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 -19 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
This verse sounds simple enough: work hard, eat well and live with gratitude. But, sometimes things can get complicated for me when I erroneously compare my life-gifts with others around me. It is also difficult when society insinuates what “good” is in magazines, television, film, music and in most every area of life. My life hardly measures up to their definition of good or desirable. I am black when white is better and beautiful, fat when thin is better, (on this point I might agree because of the health benefits), older while younger is more prized, mid-income when high income is respected and desired, (and sometimes needed), my home is small to mid size in a world where McMansions are becoming the norm. So, for those that do not measure up to the “American Standard”, what are we to do? Be thankful for what we have? Sounds like a cop-out answer doesn’t it? Maybe not.
When I get off track, I refer back to God’s plan for every man and woman. The life God plans for his person is more about attitude and gratitude than anything else. According to Solomon, the Bible’s most wise and richest man ever, the best life is to eat well and enjoy our work. Across Ecclesiastes, Solomon says he has done it all. He tried pleasure seeking, buying and selling, sex, philosophy and looking for “good people” to add more to his life. After a lifelong and probably expensive search by the wisest man ever, he concludes on just a few things: work hard, eat well and stick to God (5:18, 19 & 12:13). Oftentimes, the Biblical view seems upside down from the world view, and for good reason. God’s ways are not like ours. As He created life, maybe we should try it His way?
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