Enjoy the Day

Living with the Mystery

Ecclesiastes 9

“For I have taken all this to my heart and explained it that the righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. God does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him.”

                  Can we know God and all of His plans entirely? This is the question we often wrestle with. When we gaze into the face of God as He has revealed Himself in His word and in creation, there is a mystery that defines our ability to understand. Furthermore, the quest to know God goes beyond our capacity. While we can learn some things about God, in the end, we must always humbly bow in His presence and, like Job, acknowledge that we do not fully understand and it is beyond our ability to understand that we are finite, but He is infinite, and therefore we can only speak about God, but we can never speak for God. While we can know some things about God, we can never know everything about Him, and so all we can do is humbly accept the words He has given us and obey His commands without question.  

                  Solomon fully grasps the ultimate paradox: Death is the final fate of all people, whether righteous or unrighteous. In the end, we all face the certainty and the inescapable reality of death. At first glance, it seems as if it does not matter how we live. If we all face the same end and the same fate, whether wicked or righteous, then what is the point? Does this mean that it is pointless to live righteously and in obedience to God? If death is the fate for all, then are we condemned to live a life without meaning?

                  Solomon has pointed out that life in the present does matter for eternity, and how we live today does affect what happens after death. God has revealed Himself and His plan to us, but not all His purposes. Therefore, we can know what is necessary, but not everything about God and His plans. Perspective in the present begins by recognizing that there is much we cannot comprehend. This starts by keeping a focus on the certainty of death. The reality of death is to be a teacher for how to live now. The certainty of death reminds us of the gift of life and the importance of enjoying the life and situation He has given us. Again, Solomon is not endorsing hedonism, but the recognition that God has given us life to enjoy, and so we must keep things in balance. Too often, we get so caught up in the pursuit of success and the world's values that we lose sight of the most important principle: Life itself is a gift of God, so learn to enjoy life in the present rather than always pursuing the phantom of the future. This is especially true for those who have received the salvation of God. In a foreshadow of Christ, Solomon reminds us that when embraced the salvation God offers, He has already given us the promise of salvation, and there is nothing more we need nor can we add to the salvation He has given. Because we no longer need to strive for God’s acceptance (vs 8), we can enjoy the day He has given us. This begins with enjoying our marriage. How many people sacrifice their marriage in the endless pursuit of success? This is folly. Rather, we need to recognize that marriage is a gift from God to be enjoyed, not sacrificed (vs 8-9).   Are you so focused on the future that you are not enjoying the present? Are you sacrificing your marriage in the pursuit of the phantom of the future? Take the time and stop and enjoy the moment, for we do not know when death will strike. Life itself is the greatest gift and all that is needed to enjoy God and His purpose. Take time to enjoy today!