Prayer Warrior

As I young teen reading the book for the first time, I imagined myself in the scene. On a typical morning, never suspected what lay in store, I walked to the worship center with the rest of the family. The elderly preacher was decked out in his finest raiment. He approached the platform, but his normal, cheery smile was missing. In his resonant voice, he bellowed:

“Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless.  What does man gain from all his labor  at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises…  What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:2-9 NIV)

He continued in this fashion for some time, and it made me wonder if life had any purpose at all. Here was an older man of great wisdom that is respected the world over explaining the futile nature of life. For a young person, this was discouraging. Just when I began to despair, however, he gave some excellent advice.

I was forced to pause and consider why this man of great learning would paint such a hopeless picture. Everything he said was probably true, but I had not yet experienced any it. I had my own dreams, mountains to conquer, people to meet, experiences to savor. Looking back over the years now, I find that his wisdom (as unwelcome as it was at the time) has shaped my entire adulthood.

Apart from a loving Creator and faithful Savior, life is truly a fatal exercise for every person. However, by keeping the end in view and recognizing that an accounting is coming, we can take joy in the simple pleasures and find the life in our own purpose.

Simple Pleasures

Through the course of his discussion, the preacher gave some excellent advice. He said:

“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.” (Eccl. 5:18-20 NAS)

This was a powerful thought. While life as a whole looks meaningless, our reward is finding joy in the little things, and our satisfaction is found in our ability to rejoice in our work. The ability to find contentment and happiness in our work is a gift from God. Then, the preacher said:

“Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Eccl. 9:7-10 NAS)

Looking back over the years, I see his wisdom more clearly. While looking to change the world, we miss the simple pleasures. Those small joys like a good meal or a favorite shirt or special relationships are what make life worth living. These are our reward from God Himself. Because of his statement that day, I determined to pour myself into whatever I choose to do.

That simple statement had a lifelong impact on me. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Eccl. 9:10) !” I discovered that Paul operated on the same premise. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17).” Paul also wrote, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve (Col. 3:23-24).” That day, I set my mind to serve a living Savior. I chose to live my life to enjoy His gifts and to do it with all my might. But the preacher didn’t stop there.

Passions

“Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.” (Eccl. 11:9-10 NAS)

God gives us a variety of passions. He puts desires in our hearts. We have the freedom to pursue those dreams of youth. At the same time, keep the end in mind. How you fulfill your impulses is important to God. He will judge the thoughts and intentions of your heart (Heb. 4:12). After a brief discussion of his own aging, he spoke the words a young person loves to hear, “In conclusion….” What he said, however, was so profound that I shall not forget it.

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:13-14 NAS)

Good Advice

The elderly king delivered this discourse as he faced the end of his own life. The older I get, the more truth I find in his message. In times of transition, this word mesmerizes me again. Graduations, moves, funerals, aging, job changes and other life transitions have a way of forcing us to re-evaluate life in general. We are forced to examine our goals. What is truly important?

The advice of Solomon (author of Ecclesiastes) is good for us all, not just the youth. Enjoy life, but remember your Creator. Don’t be anxious, for youth evaporates quickly (Eccl. 11:10). God gives desires and passions to pursue. He also judges how you use His gifts (Eccl. 11:9).

As our young adults graduate and move into the next phase of life, let’s encourage them. Let’s pray for them that they find the life in the purpose God has given them. Consider writing a note to the graduates you know and call out the gifts of God that you see operating in their lives. Use this time to encourage them to pursue those gifts with passion. ♥