Eat, Drink and Be Merry

More thoughts from yesterday's sermon:

This is obviously an area where I've needed help in the last months. I lean more to an Eyeore-mentality, at least internally. Gloomy rain clouds overhead. Everything isn't as bad as it could be, but it's probably headed that direction. Maybe you're the same way.

Even in submitting to God's sovereignty, I can be a pessimist. God's in control. He's got a purpose. I'll just live out the days of my miserable existence and see what His plan is.

But Solomon puts the two together in a biblical perspective in Ecclesiates 3.

"For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:" (v 1)

""I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man" (vs 12-13).

Since God is in control, since He is directing the events of my life - the good and the bad, I can enjoy life!

What does that look like?

It's not the hedonism that lives for pleasure: eating, drinking and being merry for tomorrow we die. Live the good life because there's noting after this life.

It's not the pessimism that resigns itself to fate: eating, drinking and maybe being merry because it's bound to get worse. Just eat and drink enough to get by.

And it's not the optimism that ignores the problems of life: Let's ignore the problems by eating, drinking and being merry.

But it's the enjoyment of the blessings that God has given me. Food, drink, laughter with friends and family, even my job. Oh, you probably didn't want to hear that, did you - "...take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man."

Submitting to God's sovereignty and enjoying His provision relieves me of worry.

It also relieves me of being a control maniac. I don't have to have everything under my control, because God has it under His control.

So today I can enjoy the meals that God has set before me. I can look forward to going to work. I can anticipate a few laughs with co-workers and customers. I can enjoy life!