“Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
Solomon seems to be discouraged as he maneuvers the divide between this earthly life and the life after it. He is also trying to sort out the difference between life for the wicked and life for the righteous, he doesn’t seem to see much difference. His answer to this is to enjoy life here while you can, love your spouse all your days, and is still telling us that all of our days are vanity.
As I read and study these verses, I keep coming back to the topic of work and rest. Many of us live this life as though everything hangs on us. That God somehow needs us to accomplish His work on earth. And yes, He certainly uses His people to do His work and we need to be available and willing to be used by Him. And yet, there is a attitude that permeates our hearts and many of us live as if it all depends on us. We would never say that, and in our heads we know that, of course, God doesn’t need us.
But maybe you, like me, have spent your life feeling guilty for not being able to do more? For me, as a missionary, with need everywhere I turn, it is difficult to have to release the idea that it isn’t up to me, and that really, sitting at God’s feet in worship, or washing the dishes, or ministering to my neighbor all hold the exact same spiritual significance.
Theologian Robert Barron tells us that at the heart of original sin is the refusal to accept God’s rhythm for us and our life.
We need to remember that it is more than ok to have a good balance of work and rest. Of giving and taking in. Of busy and quiet. God himself operated this way as we see in the first chapters of Genesis. Jesus did this again and again during his earthly ministry.
Resting and bringing God into the rhythm of our days is holy work. Remember that it is ok to embrace the slow. To have pockets of both work and rest and even enjoying.
With Love From Uganda,
Week 7 Video:
(Can’t see the video? Click here!)
Week 7 Challenge: Today, and each day this week, take inventory of your time. How do you spend it? Do you have a good balance between work and rest? Of giving and taking in? Ask God to show you how to spend your days wisely, enjoying both it and Him.
Week 7 Reading Plan:
Week 7 Memory Verse:
I am enjoying your bible study. Thank you very much.L from South Carolina.
Lynne we are so glad you are joining us and are getting so much out of the study. ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
Hi Joy – Would not have noticed about the blue shirt – you look lovely! Praying you will continue to heal. I so needed to hear about the rhythm of my life and it has reminded me to ask God to help me keep in balance and in rhythm, because I know that is where I am the healthiest. Good encouraging word that I will remember! Thankyou!
Paula, wasn’t this blog so needed. I was reminded in my quiet time that we can court Him or dance the dance of the rhythm of His heart beat and things will flow so much easier in life because we are doing it together. A dance has to flow in order to be smooth. <3 ~Sheila LGG Encourager
The changes I have seen in my prospective of this world since I have started these bible studies in amazing. I now in my 63rd year on this planet and the bible is finally being taught to me. I grew up in a catholic family always prayed and went to church, but never knew the bible. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Isnt it so beautiful when we finally discover the life hidden in the words on those pages. I remember trying to read it for years and read it as though it was speaking to others but these bible studies brought it to life and made it personal for me. We are so blessed that you are receiving so much out of this study. ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
Thank you Joy! Every day I pray for Father to show me His priorities for the day, but I still struggle with this ! I, like you always think I need to be doing more! So much of my life has been about gaining my significance from performing well. I loved the quote about original sin and not accepting God’s rhythm for us and our life! I look forward today to seeing the sacred in the rhythm God has for me today! God bless and keep you in His sacred rhythm!
Absolutely beautiful Linda! I believe He will lead you in this as you have asked. God is always the best at time management. But most of all He is going to take you on a journey of learning that He is where your significance comes from. It is a beautiful thing <3 ~Sheila LGG Encourager
I spent this weekend resting. I’m a full time working mom of 3 and I’m married to a youth minister. So between chasing my kids, ministering to teenagers and working the rhythm of my life is pretty fast-paced. This weekend I was exhausted and had to rest my body. And I felt guilty for that. I felt guilty that I want keeping my house clean or playing with the kids. Thank you for reminding me that resting in God is important too.
Amen! Yes to that! Sometimes it does make us feel guilty, but it is SO beneficial and important to rest. Thank you for sharing with us, Lacey!!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
Wow! I just had this conversation Saturday with 2 fellow Christians from my church! Your words:
“sitting at God’s feet in worship, or washing the dishes, or ministering to my neighbor all hold the exact same spiritual significance” pierced my heart this morning. My everyday life, my daily job as a teacher, my life as a mother, neighbor, co-worker, etc. are just as important as my deliberate act of a job that I have taken on such as a mission trip.
I tend to place more value in the church related activities that I get involved in than the everyday interaction with people that comes my way. Who’s to say that maybe my everyday mundane life might be the greatest ministry that I have on this earth? I need to live every day as if it is the greatest mission that I have been given, always ready to minister in a moments notice, in season and out of season. That will require of me to be ready mentally too when my day is not going well and I am mentally drained or upset. For it is in those moments that perhaps people are witnessing how I handle things as a Christian. Even when I mess up, an honest heart felt apology and confession of my human weakness can show that God forgives us and we can start over again. Thank you Joy for allowing God’s words to flow through you! I have much to ponder over today. I am loving this first ever study with Love God Greatly and the book of Ecclesiastes!
Penny, YES! And it’s so sweet to hear that you’re enjoying the study!! We’re so happy you’re joining us!!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
Love today’s video! I am a pre-field missionary to Colombia (with husband and 2 little girls), and I ALREADY feel that pressure of “wasting” other people’s money. Thank you for the reminder that rest is truly part of God’s design. Amen! (Also…I NEED to edit down to a “capsule” wardrobe. Before we move, for sure!)
Anna, it’s so great to hear the video was an encouragement to you! Thanks for stopping by!!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
I so needed to hear this message. Thank you for sharing your heart and being obedient to the Spirit. You are truly a beautiful soul, Joy.
Natalie, thank you for stopping by! I’m thankful to hear the message was encouraging to you!!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
Thank you Joy. This topic just came to a head for me this weekend, so how perfect the timing that you shared with us on it today. I wasn’t balancing, I wasn’t taking the time to take in, which for me is going for a run. When I run I use the time to pray and quiet my soul before God, and I had been pushing that task to the back burner. Saturday the result was one over stressed, frustrated, and just plain angry Mama! My poor kids and husband bore the brunt of it. It is SO important to rest (however that takes form) and just be with God. Thank you for this reminder this morning.
Oh too many times our loved ones bear the brunt of it, right? Praying you have been able to find time to rest and be in His word. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
Determined to downsize so thanks for the clothing challenge of less outfits:) One wise woman once told me…the more you have, the more upkeep…blessings to be used or taking up time that could be used sitting at the feet of Jesus….all in the balance!
Thanks for using your time to reach out to others/us:)
Since the prayer study last session, I have really been trying to put more time into sitting at God’s feet. However, I’m a huge extremist type person, which causes me to struggle quite a bit with legalism, so I’ve noticed that the MAJORITY of my time is spent praying and reading, so that I get nothing else done! I’ve been struggling with feelings of guilt from that, as well as struggling to spend my time time doing “the best” part. Thank you, Joy for showing me that there DOES need to be balance and that sitting at God’s feet can be equal to housework, because HE is in all things!! What an eye opener! I just need prayer to find that balance in my life.
Mistie, it’s so wonderful to hear you were encouraged and blessed by the message shared! Thank you for your honesty and for sharing with us! Praying for you friend!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
This post and video really spoke to me! I struggle with the balance between work and rest. I have a mind that is always in overdrive. Everywhere I look, I see a project that needs to be tackled. As I sit in my living room and gaze around, my mind says, “That tv remote needs to be picked up off the couch and put back on the end table. Why is my son’s pillow in the floor? Those books on the bookcase need to be arranged neatly.” And so on! It’s exhausting! Every time I sit down to be with God and to study His Word, these same type of thoughts pop up, but seem to be more intense…and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. The enemy definitely doesn’t want us to spend time with God, and I truly believe he works in overdrive to prevent us from spending time with our Heavenly Father. I struggle with turning off all of the distractions and the voices of the enemy…it’s a daily thing I have to fight against. That’s why I love reading words that say, “Hey, it’s okay to rest…God wants us to rest.” I can’t be going all of the time…I have to fight hard to put everything down and rest…to focus on His Word and block out the distractions. I also have to remind myself that any good work I’m able to do is a win for God. It may not look like much to me, since I didn’t get to do near enough in my mind, but God gently whispers that it was a great thing because it was done for Him.
Joy, I hope you get to feeling better! The flu is definitely not fun, but I bet you got some good r&r time in! Maybe God was wanting you to slow down and rest for a while.<3
Audra, thank you for sharing your heart with us! YES! The enemy definitely does NOT want us spending time with our Heavenly Father! Praying for you friend, and praising Him with you!
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager
Thank you, Joy, for your encouraging message. I need the reminder to find a balance between work and rest in my life. God bless you.
Janine, I’m thankful to hear you were encouraged by the message!! That is definitly a reminder many of us need. 🙂
Blessings, Marlene – LGG Encourager