Know Your Purpose

For the last several Sunday evenings we have been studying the model prayer.  As we studies the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread”, we referenced Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 where the Bible encourages us to enjoy what God has provided.  Many Christians would look and feel ten years younger is they just started enjoying life.  Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, we are encouraged to enjoy life.  “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--it is the gift of God.  I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-14, NKJV). 

This wise man suggests that we are fulfilled in our lives when we work hard, do good, and enjoy the blessings of God.  Working hard without doing good is ungodly.  Working hard without enjoying life is tragic.  There are workaholics who live to work instead of working to live.  They are often too busy to do good and enjoy life.  The wise man calls this vanity or meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23). Doing good without enjoyment is legalistic drudgery.  Enjoying life without making a contribution to the world is wasteful and selfish. 

Many people who work hard or party hard reach a point in life where they realize that there must be more to life than what they are doing.  Even some Christians are searching for purpose and meaning in their lives.  They are trying to find their way, often without really knowing where they are trying to go.  We need to be reminded that reverence for God and service to Him are the main things in life.  We find fulfilment in living for something greater than ourselves.  When we work hard, do good, and serve God, we can enjoy what God has provided.