13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
I like these 2 verses. Solomon seems to be saying that there isn't joy in the human, or self accomplishment. The joy comes in the work to get there. Kind of a "life is about the journey, and not the destination" sort of thing. That makes sense to me. In Genesis, it says that God created man to WORK the garden. It doesn't say that God created man to make the garden beautiful.
How does that translate into my daily toil? Well, I guess that means I should give my best effort at work, and enjoy the relationships with those around me, and enjoy the ride. The accomplishment isn't really what will fill my heart up anyway. The problem is that the world values the "result" more than the process.
Am I crazy here? Don't answer that!
tp
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
ReplyDeleteSome of the same verses were hitting me. I always admire people that seem to enjoy and are passionate about their work. I get it from farmer friends and family, I have a truck driver friend that I see it in, my brother speaks passionately about his craft of welding. How about me? I've had much of my career where I've felt the power of doing something that I loved that was making a difference. I've spent the last few years in a different place, less consistently feeling good about a days work. I need to find that place again, I think I can do it right where I'm at. I think its about my attitude not about the kind of work being done. I see people being passionate and enjoying situations that are much more difficult than my own toil.
knut