Ordinary Joy - Pt 1

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also hat everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-113 ESV).

It’s Wednesday. Many people would call this day “hump day.” That brings with it the knowledge that we have arrived at mid-week with just two more days to follow that will get us to the weekend. For many people the weekend is the goal. Somehow, if we can just make it to Saturday and Sunday we will have freedom and joy. We are free from the responsibilities of work and it’s an opportunity for rest and leisure. I find that the weekend is not nearly as exciting for me in my state of semi-retirement. Of course there are some things that are very desirable about it. There is more activity around the house since the grandchildren are not in school or busy with homework and activities; Sunday is a day to worship and see people not ordinarily present in my Monday through Friday schedule. These are always pleasant and “joyful.” However, the real question is how do I find joy in every day? After all, those days are typically pretty ordinary. That’s what we will begin to look at in the next few days. Thankfully we are not left to our own speculation. God has spoken to us through the Scripture. Ecclesiastes is that narrative. It teaches us that life can be empty, futile, and absurd. However, there is great insight and hope within its pages. The conclusion of the book functions as the lens, the perspective, by which the whole of the book should be read. When we understand that this world isn’t paradise on earth, we are reminded that nothing is more important than a right relationship with God. Ecclesiastes reminds us of our limitations and finiteness. This is the path to joy in the ordinary things of life. Our reading declares, God “has made everything beautiful in its time” (v. 11). Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. As followers of Christ, our joy doesn’t come from our circumstances. It comes from knowing the Lord and His character, from abiding in Christ and the Word of God. I find that enormously satisfying. I’ve chosen some very ordinary things to use as a focal point in the discovery of how to accomplish this settled position regardless of your circumstance. Today, would you commit yourself to guard yourself against letting outward circumstances determine your inward joy? We will find joy in the ordinary things!