Here’s a philosophy of living from one of my favorite quotes:
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
–Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
There it is, an overflowingly positive passage right in the middle of life-in-the-pits by the Ecclesiastes preacher, the dooms-day teacher. I confess I tend to ignore the “life is meaningless” parts. I substitute it with something more like life is hard to understand. I can understand that.
But I really rise to the permission, yea, the admonition, to live every tick of the clock with all I can put into it and all I can get out of it. Especially knowing that clock is running out.
Go, he says. Go with God. Via con Dios. Go, for God is always going, always moving ahead, never back. He’s growth oriented, loving his own invention of time, of which he will never run out even if we will and we never know when.
Meantime, enjoy the basic necessities, like eating and drinking. Do them with a smile ready at the cheeks of the heart.
Go. Get up. Do something. Consider yourself already favored in the opportunities laying before you. Okay, not every one can win at every thing every time, but just being in the game is rather special.
Go. Get up. Get dressed. Dress in a way fitting with who you are, favored. By God. By God! It may all not matter much ultimately, what you put on, what you wear, but why not enjoy it? Dress the part. It may be just a bit part, but play it well.
And your spouse . . . the one you’re used to after these long years; s/he’s still worth your joy, and at moments, the highest joy! (Smile.) Keep love alive. Keep joy alive. All moments matter.
And about work . . . okay, so you have to do it. What else are you going to do with your time? Meaningful work is a gift. If it isn’t meaningful, make it so; or find something that is.
So, “Go to work,” says the preacher. And whatever that work, do it to the height it can be done by you. Test yourself in this. It’ll make it more fun.
That’s it. A simple philosophy, straight out of Scripture, sanctioned by God.
Okay, there’s more. Much more. But I like this little gem sparkling in the Ecclesiastical rough.
Ours is to remember it, to run with it. To know that it’s all a gift.
Why not enjoy it?
Amen?
_________
Next: Hurdles Happen, coming Wednesday.
PS Haven’t subscribed? You can do so with a quick click in the right column and never miss.
And feel free to share with a friend.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:55 am
love this, hyatt! i hear your voice even as you write – and you are right – and you do live and dress the part! I will take it to heart all day and all life, God reminding (you can always remind me again.) love, your favorite middle sister
11:31 am
Work can not only be meaningful, but joyful and fullfililng…. Oops can’t spell.
12:13 pm
Excellent words of “wisdom” :-0, Hyatt. And you’re so right… we have been given, aka “gifted” with so much; shouldn’t it show at least on our faces, our attitude towards life, work, loving etc.?
1:10 pm
Amen!
2:52 pm
It’s been said that a heart full is a heart alive. How true this is, Hyatt! Jesus promised, “life to its fullest” to those who embrace and follow him. I remember Eric Liddle (sp?) in Chariots of Fire stating that, when he ran, he “felt God’s pleasure.” You and Anne have found that niche in your art and writing. Likewise, may each of us search until we find that which gives us meaning in our ordinary days.
3:03 pm
Thank you, Hyatt.
6:48 pm
Hello Hyatt……what you have written and your interpretation of Ecclesiastes is tremendous. I am certainly inspired by your thoughts and words.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
Suszanne
10:34 am
Amen Hyatt. Thank you!!
2:18 pm
Dear Hyatt, what a gift, thank you! It is all a gift… you are right!
Best to you and yours!
6:21 am
So true…in the midst of this “meaningless life” I do have a joyful heart and skip in my step.
Thank you Hyatt.
9:19 am
Thanks, Hyatt. Wise words for us all as we begin the new year. Blessings.