Jan 7, 2024 "Well Lived Life" ( Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 3:1-3, 5:18; Genesis 2:18-19)

 

Well Lived Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

 

Living well will be different for different people. We need to determine what the life would look like to give a goal. Of course, depending on our situation, we might need to respond differently.  

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 ESV

[1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: [2] a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; [3] a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 

We can make a life beautiful by responding appropriately to God's plans. But working hard and accomplishing much will not get us satisfaction.

 

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 ESV

[10] And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. [11] Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

 

Hard work and success will not make us happy in the long run. We need to work but also take enjoyment in our work and it's fruits.  

 

Ecclesiastes 5:18 ESV

[18] Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.  

 

God created us to work to be a part of His creation. In fact, God had Adam name the animals to share in the responsibility of creation.   

 

Genesis 2:18-19 ESV

[18] Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” [19] Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.  

 

Life has hardship and pain which we will experience. There is a beauty in this suffering and growth. The changing season can be difficult and brings endings, necessary endings. This beauty is in the cycle that allows for creation to peak and wain, to grow and then to recede. Nothing can stay the same. That is not God's plan in creation.

 

We should view the future as Christmas presents. There should be a zeal for life and excitement about how God will be with us and get us through these challenges.  

 

We can be grateful when we understand who created us and has a plan for us.

 

Where we live is the Kingdom of God. If God is with us, wherever we go is the Kingdom of God. The same is true if God is not with you, then wherever you go, the Kingdom of God is not there.  

• Good Grace

• Goodness Of God
• Before the throne of God above