I’m pondering on Solomon’s random thoughts as he introspectively ponders on the sense of life. As he allows his mind to roller coaster through the great monuments and the great screw-ups of his short journey on earth, he stumbles on some profound truths - wise man that he is - some of which he struggled to apply. (Gives me some hope for myself!) So here’s the first. Ecc 3
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil?this is the gift of God.
14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
God has laid a burden on men, a curse. Thank you Adam. Thank you Eve. Yet He lays eternity in the hearts of men. (see my blog on 4D faith). A new perspective in spite of the curse. I’m still trying to figure out what in the world this ‘eternity’ statement means. I think it is a heavily loaded truth - a treasure to seek out…
But what I do know is that a man needs a mission. Since the beginning of time he needs to hunt. To conquer. To toil. And by God’s grace that which was initially a curse can become a great satisfaction (v13) and a joyous celebration (to eat and drink v 13) (Now where is this going…?)
And somehow this toil also has eternal value (v14) - bringing us back to eternity in the hearts of men (v11). (Musing…contemplating…)
And everything beginning and ending with God… ’so that men will revere him’.
That was the theological musing…
And then there is ordinary me on my little mission (Hopefully God inspired)… toiling, toiling. God please make sense of it.
A prayer by a saint:
God of eternity
embedded in the heart
of man
make beautiful the curse in me
that I with you may toil
in glee
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Satisfied.
Revered.
