Ecclesiastes 3:9-15, The Message Translation
9-13 But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I’ve had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he’s coming or going. I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift
14 I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
15 Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That’s how it always is with God.
As a child, I remember asking my mother about the future, even silly questions such as “What are we doing tomorrow?” In reply, she would sing the chorus to Doris Day’s song “Qué sera, será” (Whatever will be, will be):
“Que será, será
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que será, será
What will be, will be.”
Although she sang it beautifully, we did not always receive her melodious voice with appreciation, but always with wonder and expectation for tomorrow.
This final week of August has been busy, and I am grateful to have a spiritual director who is sensitive to the voice of the Spirit and helps me receive God’s grace to be kind to myself. Sometimes we cannot accomplish everything and must learn to say, “It’s ok. What will be, will be.”
Ecclesiastes 3 has been used as a constant reminder that every season has its own time, and every time has its season. King Solomon had everything he could ever ask for, want, or desire in his palace. It wasn’t until he took the time to look around that he noticed all the value, or lack of material things.
King Solomon takes a different outlook on life and recognizes that it’s best to rely on God’s timing, will, plan and purpose. King Solomon realizes that life is meant to be lived to the fullest in appreciation of what God has beautifully made for us, without the anxiousness of what God will do next. It’s not ours to know or see; “I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift.”
It is not for us to question God, but to live life in the awesomeness and wonder of what God has done, is doing, and will do. “15 Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That’s how it always is with God.”
Because at the end of the day, what God does is always good for us because God always has our best interest at heart, and God is a good God!
Autumn blessings,
Pastor Iraida