The Gift of the Good Life: Why Enjoying Your Hard Work is a Holy Act
Hello friends. It is a real pleasure to be back with you on our church blog. I have been spending some time lately reflecting on the "daily grind" we all face. Whether it is the commute into London, the endless pile of laundry, or the pressure of a demanding career, it is so easy to fall into a state of weariness where we forget why we are doing any of it. In my studies, I have found that the Bible has a surprisingly joyful answer to this common struggle.
Let us look at a beautiful, grounding word from the book of Ecclesiastes.
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.”
The "writer" in Ecclesiastes often talks about the vanity of life "under the sun," describing it as a "flickering skein" or a bit of smoke that curls and vanishes. If we leave God out of the equation, life can certainly feel like a bit of a muddle. But here, in this verse, everything changes. The writer stops looking at the horizon and starts looking at the hand of God.
He suggests that the simple acts of eating, drinking, and finding joy in our work are not just "perks" of life; they are gifts from a generous Creator. In fact, on twelve occasions in this book, God is described as a Giver. This is a powerful remedy to the "malaise" of modern life. We tend to think that holiness is found only in struggle or sacrifice, but the Bible reminds us that God is also the God of the "portion." He gives us a specific measure of joy to enjoy right now, in the midst of our labour.
I think many of us carry a secret weight of guilt. We reckon that if we are not constantly "on," we are somehow failing. But our God is El Shaddai, the God of more than enough. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He is not a stingy Master who begrudges us a bit of a breather. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, He is "able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think".
Think of it like this: if you spent hours in the garden, mucking about in the dirt to grow the perfect tomato, wouldn't it be a shame if you never sat down to taste it? God has designed the world so that hard work has a natural reward. When we sit down for a spot of tea or take a weekend to walk in the countryside, we are not being lazy. We acknowledge that our provision comes from Him.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. That reward is not just "pie in the sky when you die." It is the peace and satisfaction He offers us today. So, I want to encourage you this week to set aside some time to simply enjoy what you have worked for. Relax in the knowledge that your satisfaction is a holy portion from the hand of God.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank You that You are a generous Giver who delights in our joy. Please forgive us for the times we have made an idol of our work and forgotten Your provision. Help us to find true satisfaction in our toil and to rest without guilt in the blessings You have provided. May our enjoyment be a witness to Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.