Ecclesiastes: Wisdom to Live for Heaven While on EarthSample

How well do you know your limits?

How often do you enjoy the life God has given you?

Anxiety levels across the board would tell us that very few of us, even with the best of intentions, honor the human limits God gave us. Which means we spend a lot of time doing – and do not do a great job of enjoying the life God has given us.

I feel the tension myself. Because our world is so broken, we could even falsely categorize enjoying our life as somehow being “irresponsible.”

But enjoying your life and understanding your limits are part of God’s plan for you.

Only God knows it all, and only God can solve it all. The brokenness of this world is not yours to fix. That doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and do nothing. God has graciously invited us to be part of His work in the world.

Our specific assignments will differ, but the general assignment to all believers is this:

• to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40)
• to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20),
• through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be His witnesses everywhere we go (Acts 1:8).

Everything beyond that is God’s job. Attempting to do God’s job is not only extremely prideful on our part, but it’s impossible. So in His lavish love for us, what does He tell us to do?

To enjoy our lives and the blessings He has given us, and to trust Him to do the rest.

Remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light'' (Matthew 11:28-30).

You and I were not created to bear the weight of this broken world, but Jesus can.

In the moments when you find yourself exceptionally weary and weighed down by the brokenness around you:

1. Do what God has asked of you.
2. Beg Him to do what only He can do.
3. Enjoy the life He has given you.

A simple way to remember this is simply: obey, pray, and enjoy.

God, there is so much brokenness in the world. Sometimes, it paralyzes me to inaction, and other times, it leaves me striving and unsuccessfully attempting to do Your job. I want to do my part, Lord, so give me the courage to show up as Your hands and feet. Keep me in constant communication with You, asking You to do what only You can do. And help me enjoy the life You have given me, so I will constantly be reminded of Your goodness, Your provision, and Your grace. Amen.

There’s so much more wisdom to live for heaven while on Earth in the whole book of Ecclesiastes. If you enjoyed this plan, you’ll love the full commentary (complete with group discussion questions) to take you through Ecclesiastes verse-by-verse. Get your copy here .