God Sees It All: Living A Well-Balanced Life
“Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 ESV
There is nothing new under the sun. Solomon not only states this truth, he goes further and shares examples. We see first-hand in the verses we read today the similarities between our world and his.
Injustice is all around
We see the injustice of oppression in our world every time we turn on the evening news, log on to a national news website, or open a newspaper. We live in a world full of oppression, corruption and injustice…and it makes our hearts ache for heaven.
Like us, Solomon despaired at the oppression he saw in his world. As he looked around, he saw injustice at every corner. Innocent people were being oppressed with no one to comfort them, and his heart ached as they wept. His response to this reality was to declare that it is better to never have been born than to have seen this evil. (vs. 4:3)
But remembering what we learned last week, we can take heart and know there is a season and time for everything. (vs. 3:1) We don’t have to take Solomon’s stand and declare death or never being born as better than seeing or experiencing oppression because we know that in time, justice is coming.
Justice is a guarantee. (Acts 17:30-31)
So though our court systems may fail us or individuals in our lives who have the power to help do not, we need not lose hope. For we know that justice does not lie in the justice system but in the Chief Justice Himself: Jesus Christ.
And take heart sweet friends, for just as God saw the injustice Solomon speaks of in Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, God sees the injustice in our world today.
God does not turn a blind eye to the pain, heartache and injustice in this world, and He doesn’t turn a blind eye to it in your life either.
God sees it, He knows.
So instead of getting angry, getting even or becoming sad or depressed, trust God. He will make all things right in His time. (vs. 3:11)
The Two Extremes: The Workaholic vs The Lazy One
Taking his eyes off of the oppression he was witnessing, Solomon then turns his attention to those earning a living in his country. This time he saw extreme opposites from those who would be considered workaholics to those who would be considered lazy. Both individuals were wrong in their view of work.
The workaholic is driven to make more, be more, and achieve more than his competition. Success, prestige and money drive him or her to push themselves to their limits, many times hurting themselves and those they love in the process. This in Solomon’s view is meaningless.
The lazy one is the exact opposite, but the damage can still be the same. Where one works too much and to hard, this other individual “folds his hands and ruins himself.” He or she doesn’t work hard, has no ambition or drive and his/her family suffers for it.
Both extremes are wrong. Both extremes focus on themselves…not God.
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6
There can be a balance between the two but only when the focus of working is on God. Our love for God must be our motive in work.
When we work, our desire should be for His glory…not ours. Where one may find meaningless in work and declare the time, sacrifice and effort not worth the cost…when God is the focus of the work and it is done out of love for Him…the investment is worth the price.
When we love God through our work, the motivation of our work changes. Instead of making beautiful things that will bring us glory and recognition, we make beautiful or useful products, which will bring Him the glory. We enjoy raising His name more than our own. He is the focus, and we delight when we are able to help people, serve people or point people to our risen Savior through the work of our hands, time or talents.
When we make God our focus, our priorities change. The “things” in this world become less important and the relationships in our lives become more important. We strive to be our best, not for our name’s sake, but for God’s.
But we also realize that ultimately God is in control, so we do our part but also allow God to do His. We work hard but not at the cost of sacrificing our families or relationships. We also need to make sure to take time to enjoy the gifts of time, family and friends God has so generously blessed us with.
We give glory to God when we take time to enjoy the life and gifts He has given to us.
Oh friend, despite what Solomon says, our lives and how we live them matter! Invest the gift of your days well! Focus on God, love Him, serve Him and make Him the focus of all your efforts! Love those He has placed in your life, and give Him glory in all things. And take heart, God sees you. He sees everything going on in our world, and remember that justice is coming. Take heart and trust Him. Until He comes back, learn from Solomon’s life and make God your focus…you can never go wrong.
Let’s Talk: What is something in your life that is out of balance, and what steps can you take this week to focus this area of your life back on God?
Love God Greatly,
Did you miss Monday’s post? View it here!
We are working to smoothe out our evening routine so that we work more as a family vs it all falling on me! Also so that everyone gets to bed earlier and I can get some time alone with my husband. We’re missing our time together not only to just chill but to read and pray together,
Awesome! Very wise:)
Lauren, having a balance in family life is definitely a hard task. But you’re doing such great work and you acknowledge and are working to find a balance, which is super! Praying for you!
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Ahhh you’re a smart woman, Lauren!!! I’ve learned that lesson the hard way too!:) Better planned evenings make for better mornings!:)
I am a competitive person. Sometimes it can motivate me to do a better job and sometimes it can cause me anxiety. When you said,
“Both extremes are wrong. Both extremes focus on themselves…not God.”
It really made me think….. When I become so competitive that it takes the focus off of God, then my efforts are pointless. However, if I give up entirely and become unmotivated, I am still focused on me and become useless.
Competition can cause one to become very focused on self. This makes me think of over zealous parents at a small child’s sporting event. The parent desires that the child be competitive but the child is just out there having fun and enjoying what he is doing. The child is really the one that has the right focus. I ask myself, ” Where in life has my competitive nature caused me to make choices that led to negative impacts in my life?” It is a big question for me. It is all about my focus and where it should be…..God, relationships, love.
I really appreciate your insightful comments… gives me even more to think about.
I know, Penny…sometimes we just make life too complicated. 🙂
Love God and love others…that pretty much sums up how we are called to live our lives. 🙂
So loved what you shared with us today!!!! 🙂
God has convicted me lately that although I have been a Christ believer my whole life, I have not necessarily been a Christ follower in my inner thought life and how I manage my life on my own. In essence I have been acting as an atheist, as if He weren’t there for me or doesn’t have the power to change me or my life! I believe this is exactly the way Solomon was behaving here. And at times I have felt exactly like him. I am very blessed, but I live a pointless, meaningless and fruitless life without Jesus right beside me! Also, God has been showing me lately, through these scriptures and other venues, that my job is not a burden on my children and husband. Of course it brings in money, but there is God-given talent that can help people, when done for His glory. No guilt required!
Amy, it is so hard to be held accountable for our thoughts since those are between only us and God. I struggle with my convictions in my thoughts as well. And I’m so glad you can see that even though you may want to be with your family more, that God will use your work to bless others as well. He is so good to us!
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Amy,
I loved the example you gave between being a Christ believer vs. a Christ follower. 🙂 We may believe with our minds, but do we follow in obedience?
Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us today!:)
This reminds me of the old hymn that was the theme of our women’s ministry when we first started:
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
(from Dear Lord and Father of Mankind; John Greenleaf Whittier)
I am being called back to that. The strivings and stress come; but we can’t let it have its pull on us, taking us away from the source of our peace and God’s will in our lives.
Sometimes that means not filling both hands full; letting go and not reaching for things that we are not meant to hold on to.
That isn’t just wordly possessions and things of pleasure: sometimes we grab ahold of stress and drama that is not ours, and then we find ourselves burdened down and blaming God for things that He never meant for us to carry.
The world desperately needs order and peace. When we have order and peace in our lives, we shine forth God’s glory to others.
Donna, your words truly helped bring this message home along with Angela’s. Thank you so much for sharing. I know they touched others as well.
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Ahhh Donna!!! I LOVED this quote that you shared “not reaching for things that we are not meant to hold onto.”…AMEN!!!
One thing that is out of balance in my life is my overeating habit. I have struggled with weight issues almost all of my life. I am an emotional eater. Thank you for this message today. I appreciate the thoughts. 🙂
Melissa, God can help us through any area of our life. Pray to him for the strength and conviction to change what you know needs to be changed. He will provide.
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Ahhh Melissa! We all have areas in our lives that we struggle with…you are not alone, sweet friend! Praying for you tonight!:)
I shared in my FB group about a time in my life, fairly recently, when I was literally taken out emotionally, spiritually and physically. It was a season of being humbled, being still, and waiting on the Lord. I was taken out of ministry and busyness, while God was building me back up and restoring me to Himself. My life was literally a minute by minute process! It has been a very slow process, but God is finally calling me out and into ministry and back to regular life again. My struggle now is, I’ve been so used to the season of quietness and rest, and having the attitude of there’s always tomorrow, that I’ve been tending to put things off. This has begun to cause me unnecessary guilt and stress when I miss deadlines and when housework begins to pile up on me. Today’s blog post is so timely! I think balance is the key, as is remembering to do everything as unto the Lord, no matter what season I’m in.
Mistie, isn’t it wonderful how God will use these blog posts and His word to reach us where we are right now? Everyone faces challenges as we move into new transitions of life, but God and His word are constant.
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Lindsay, thank you for the reminder that everyone goes through challenges when our seasons are transitioning, it makes me feel less alone ?.
Mistie,
I’ve so loved reading through Ecclesiastes and just realizing that as God made our world with a need for seasons, mirror that same change in our lives. 🙂 I’ve seen it in parenting and in my life in general. 🙂 Praying over you tonight as you focus on God and giving Him glory in all areas of your life. 🙂 Thanks so much for joining us today!:)
Thank you so much Angela, for the prayers!
Reminds me of the song “Kids Under Construction-we are made on purpose, we are a part of HIS plan” Well, guess that goes for adults too since we are all on a journey. God judges the heart-even work (why are we doing it/not doing it) is a matter of our focus-thanks for the reminder:) Liked Amy’s comment-no guilt required-if working to help others WHILE keeping up on relationships w/God and family.
Thanks for this post I needed to read/ hear this. I honestly feel like soo many areas in my life are out of balance. I feel stuck, like I’m not doing anything right. From my being a wife, student, and at work . Managing finances etc. I am not being productive/proactive in my life. I don’t know what to do anymore and it’s really affecting the way I feel (inadequate, helpless, & inferior).
What you wrote, really spoke to me:
” When we make God our focus, our priorities change. The “things” in this world become less important and the relationships in our lives become more important. We strive to be our best, not for our name’s sake, but for God’s.”
That’s what I need, is to focus on God and seek Him for direction and peace .
I just pray to change for God’s. Goodness and his plan, not my own .
Thank you for the encouraging post.
Miranda, God loves you and forgives you daily. Use your areas of weakness not as a reason to be hard on yourself, but as a direction in which to grow and improve. He will meet you where you are and guide you. I pray He will continue to reach you through His word and give you peace and comfort.
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Lindsay ,
Thanks soo much for the encouraging words . It really means a lot .
God bless you .
Miranda,
Step by step, sweet friend! Sounds like you wear many different “hats” and have a lot on your plate. 🙂 Praying for you tonight! I so understand! Just know that you are not alone in this, focus on what really matters in life…loving God and loving others…and see if there are others who might be able to wear a few of your “extra hats” so your workload is lessened a little. 🙂
Thank you so much for the encouragement . It truly means a lot . God bless you .
I need to my life for my Bible time. I have time, but choose not to spend it with God. Why? That’s a great question. I don’t know why but I will guess it is because at the time perhaps I set God aside to do other things planning to get back with Him later and It doesn’t happen. I love the Lord. I am saved and have been for years but I just let life get in the way. I vow to do better from this day forward.