Having Fun

This morning as I prepared to do my devotions, Ecclesiastes 11:5 came on my screen.  It read: "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."  We pray for clarity in understanding how God works and what plans He has in store for us.  Sometimes He reveals pieces to us and sometimes we just have to sit back in awe.  There will always be things in life that we do not understand.  The important thing is that we trust God and trust His work.

I could not stop at this verse.  I had to pull up the entire chapter and find out more.  Verse 6 read: "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."  I'm sure you've heard the expression 'Idle hands are the devils workshop'.  That's because when we are not working for the Lord, we are more vulnerable to doing things that are not of God.  This verse says we are to 'sow our seed in the morning'.  I translate it to mean we are to being working in the morning.  Start your day with God on your mind.  Set out to do God's will each day.  So that when night time comes you are not sitting around, but preparing yourself for the next day and waiting to reap what has been sown.  Truthfully, if you are living for God and doing His work, you won't have time for idleness.

Verses 7-8: "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.  ⁸ However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all.  But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many.  Everything to come is meaningless."  God wants us to be happy and have a good life.  Your definition of 'good' may be different from mine.  A good life to me is filled with happiness, family, friends, health, and spiritual prosperity, not material gain.  However you view this scripture, that fact remains that there will be some dark days.  We would hope that we have more days filled with joy, happiness, sunshine and blue skies.  The lesson in the darkness is to remind us of how great our God is.  His Light is sweet and His mercy endures forever.  He can turn your sorrow into joy.  All trial and tribulation is not punishment, sometimes it is a test of your faith to make you stronger.

Finally, verses 9-10: "You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.  Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.  ¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."  I wish I had read this scripture years ago.  There is so much pressure to be perfect in life.  My interpretation is that when you are in your youth, it is okay to go out and have fun.  Do you have to have the world's version of fun? No.  God says to follow your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that you will be judged.  We are not exempt from spiritual and physical punishments.  There may be consequences for your actions, but we don't have to live in fear each day.  God still hears and sees all. 

Lastly, the Word says to cast your troubles away and not to have anxiety.  (easier said than done).  I think our society over emphasizes physical pleasures and youthfulness.  Youthfulness will not last always.  Don't worry about the things you cannot control.  If you slip up, don't stress over it.  Learn from it and move on.  If you made a mistake, seek forgiveness, repent, cope, let it go, and move on towards God.