Pastor John D Jakes

“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting:to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.” – Ecclesiastes 5:18

So, if you are wondering, I am not really going to focus on bacon today. (My apologies to my youngest daughter who gave me this idea and loves bacon!)  However, I am going to focus on enjoyment today.  We enjoy lots of things (including bacon).  Solomon points out here that we are supposed to enjoy them.  They weren’t created to be ignored or for us to turn our noses at them.  They are supposed to be enjoyed.

The only problem is when we think that those fun things are the whole point.  They aren’t. Material blessings are the by-product.  They are the by-product of hard work.  Solomon says that we not only enjoy those things, but he encourages us to enjoy what brings us those things: hard work.

In our culture it is unusual for us to talk about enjoying work.  So, here is an illustration that helps us catch what Solomon is talking about: When a person has worked hard on a project and when they are done they are happy with the product and they say, “Whew!  I’m glad that turned out good!”  That is the emotion that Solomon is talking about.

Do you have work in your life that you feel that way about?  You aren’t just glad it is over.  You are also glad that you produced it.  You are happy that you did the work.  Have you had that experience?  Solomon points out that such feelings are also a reward of hard work.

So, it’s not just the bacon (the reward) you and I can be excited about.  It is also the work itself.  Can you imagine such a thing?  What would it change in your life?

Something to think about,

Pastor John