Are you still looking for direction for the new year? How about Ecclesiastes 9:7?
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Author David Gibson does a wonderful job elaborating on this passage in his book “Living Life Backwards.” He shares: “This verse is actually the book of Ecclesiastes in a nutshell.”
Ecclesiastes? Isn’t that the depressing book in the Bible about the vanity of life?
In some ways, yes. But Gibson shares:
“He (the Preacher) wrote his book to smash into tiny pieces our idea that we can be like God. We aspire to have it all, know it all, do it all, achieve it all, be happy forever, have all the answers, never be left scratching our head, and be remembered by all for all time.”
I picture our pursuit of happiness in life much like entering a vast house. We are taking turn after turn, opening door after door, looking for happiness, always without finding it. Each door or path seems promising at first, only to vastly disappoint. Nothing fulfills. Nothing sustains.
Our problem is that we’ve entered the wrong house. The sign on the front gate said “Creator.” It doesn’t fit, doesn’t work because we don’t fit. Had we chosen the gate that was marked “Created,” what could we expect to find? That depends on your view of life with God.
The Preacher declares: Life is gift, not gain. Life is received, not earned. And what a giver God is!
One of the blessings of travel is experiencing new tastes, sights, and smells. The ones near are rich, but they’re familiar. And because they’re familiar, we often don’t appreciate them fully. For example, I needed nonresidents to remind me how lushly green my home state of Maryland is. After a while, I don’t see it.
One winter, my wife and I traveled south to Florida and came across a fruit stand called “Robert Is Here.” I found the experience stimulating. Robert specializes in unusual and exotic fruits, and I’m a foodie. Have you ever tasted black sapote? You don’t eat it until it’s soft and black inside. It tastes like chocolate pudding! What about guanabana? Some call it soursop. It’s sweet and tangy, a mixture of tropical flavors. And then there’s canistel, the experience of creamy egg custard. God created these.
Similarly, I find it captivating to gaze at the colors of a bluebird in winter, to witness the aerodynamic ability of a falcon, or the design and iridescence of an olive shell. And then there are coral-blue waters, Spanish moss-covered oaks, and awe-inspiring sunrises. Why all this beauty? Sit down … it’s for us. It’s for you. Life is gift!
Gibson distinguishes this enjoyment of the created from worship of the created, writing: “in the created world, you can only truly enjoy what you do not worship.”
I can still remember exploring Luray Caverns in Virginia with a friend four decades ago. His exclamations of “Wow!” “Look at that!” “Isn’t that amazing?” made those caverns shine with a brilliance I’ve not seen matched since.
Beauty enjoyed glorifies God. Beauty relished and proclaimed magnifies the One who provided it. And, Gibson adds: “God takes pleasure in your pleasure.”
Still not convinced? Look at the following description of fitting worship of God. In this passage, God is detailing a reason for sending curses on His people:
Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things… (Deuteronomy 28:47)
Here is the point: He is Creator. I am Created. So, this year, I want to “lean into” being created, fill my days with thanksgiving and praise, and live as present and fully as I can.
RESPONSE:
• Wherever you are at presently, take a moment to notice something around you: shape, color, texture, design.
• Is there something you are observing for which you can give God thanks?
• What was “given” to you yesterday–food, breath, beauty, strength, etc.–for which you can give thanks today?
• Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you be more aware of all that God is providing for you in this day.
Amen Brother 🙏🏽
God’s creation is so beautiful and we His created must give Him all praise and worship.
Very eye opening and true. Thank you.
I like your four responses and will use them! Thank you, Steve.
May we be more aware of His presence and be enthralled to worship Him!
Yinka – miss you bro! Say hello to your lovely wife for us.