Hey Love, 

 

So I'm working my way through the Bible and this week I started Ecclesiastes. A title I still struggle to pronounce and just know I may never be able to spell. Three chapters in and I'm realizing that this book is far more than I previously thought it was. I always got the impression that it's the Debbie Downer of the Bible. What I remember about it was "there's a time and season for everything" and that "we're all going to die". And yes, there is a lot of that, even in the opening chapters, but there's a depth of knowledge I didn't know the Bible spoke about. When I read the following scripture I had to pause and be in awe.  

 

"sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it"  Ecc 2:21 

 

A couple years ago I read Deuteronomy and remember being perplexed as to why Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. All the work and toiling he did during that journey and in the end, all he was allowed to do was look out into the Promised Land and never step foot into it. That was God's plan.  

 

Since that realization I've come to view a lot of my work and effort in the same vain. That the vision I have for my life is one I may not get to live. Initially that sounds discouraging, however, I've actually found it to be a source of great motivation and courage.  

 

The battles I face today aren't just my victories, but my children's, my daughters, my families, the greater society. The woman I am today was paved by my ancestors; I stand on the shoulders of giants I have never met. Most of whom I'll never know and don't have a familial connections to.  

 

So when the work gets to heavy for me or I dare to think of quitting I am reminded that this work is not done in vain and not done for my sole purpose. More, I am reminded of what the Teacher of Ecclesiastes wrote:  

 

"There is nothing better for a person that that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil." Ecc 2:24 

 

There are probably endless self-books out there purporting that very same idea: that we should enjoy the work we do. How many times are we reminded of this fact. But I've never heard this passage preached. Maybe I missed that Sunday. But this is a principle I fully believe and credit to population culture.  So to read it from God's Word is awe inspiring.  

 

There's a beautiful connection to our work being for a greater purpose and choosing to enjoy each step. I think of the Lysa Terkeurst quote I shared in the last post and one that's been on my heart "a well-lived life is chosen one day at a time." When I view the work I do as part of this larger mission I can more easily make peace with the challenging bits. I can chose to live well each day because I showed up for my self and for future generations. To read this guidance in the Bible is truly paradigm shifting.  

 

We're given a mission and a short time to complete it on this planet. There is a time for all we must do and a season for doing it. As the Teacher of Ecclesiastes writes, "take pleasure in all [this] toil, this is God's gift to man." Ecc 3:13 

 

Faithfully,  

 

Marie