The author of Ecclesiastes has guided us to examine our lives under the sun. The Lord has given us a time for all things and he has a perfect way for everything. However, God, in his love, has given us the ability to choose. We can choose to obey him or not. God’s ways are good and he created us to walk with him on good paths, leading to good destinations. A life of justice, in the book of Ecclesiastes, is a life lived in relationship with God, serving him, obeying his commands. Where people are following his commands, he blesses them. This world was intended as a good place, a place of justice. But the author of Ecclesiastes states the human condition – wickedness was found in the place of justice. Humankind has missed the purpose for which we were created. We were made in the image of God and that image is love. We were made to love God and one another, as he has loved us.

 

Humanity, however, is going full speed ahead on the path of wickedness. It seems as if there are no consequences for disobeying God. This passage concludes that time will run out one day. There will be a time for judgement of every deed. In the following verses, the author states that every man will die; in that regard, we are no different than animals. There will be an end to our lives and we do not understand how death will affect our state of existence. The last verse of the chapter underlines the blessing that God has intended for us: “So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?”(Ecclesiastes 3:22)

 

We only live once. Every day is a precious gift from the hand of God. We do not always have control over the things happening to us. But we always have a choice about how we react to every situation. We can complain about everything that is not right in our eyes or we can choose to find joy in the blessings of every day. God’s intentions for his children are good. He wants to bless us and give us a life of abundance. May our time under the sun be a blessing to him, our fellow man and ourselves!

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding me on the path of life. I do not always understand the ways of life. I do not grasp all the issues I am confronted with. So, all that I want to ask of you today is to grant me the wisdom and insight to serve you joyfully. Amen.