Key Scripture:

“So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?” Ecclesiastes 3:22

Devotional:

I’ve wrestled quite a bit with this Scripture. It seems to me that there could potentially be two different interpretations of it. One interpretation could be something like, “do what you enjoy,” while a different interpretation would be, “enjoy what you do.” Although they sound similar, they are not at all the same. So how do we decide which interpretation is correct?

An important part of biblical hermeneutics (or interpretation) is that we must use Scripture to interpret Scripture so, with the rest of Scripture in mind, I think it must be the second interpretation that is true. There are so many examples in the Bible of people who chose to do the thing that God had called them to, and that choice took them down very difficult roads. Paul, I’m sure, would not have chosen to be shipwrecked, imprisoned, stoned and murdered if he were simply doing what he enjoyed. Actually, we see in the book of Philippians how Paul chose joy amidst the worst of circumstances and encourages all believers to do the same by rejoicing in our sufferings.

Choosing to enjoy what you do is not always easy. You may find yourself in a toxic work environment, a discouraging financial situation or an unfavorable living environment. Could it be that there’s a deeper reason you’re there? Could it be that you can find joy amidst the less favorable circumstances? Could it be that God is leading you down the difficult roads for His glory? This thing I know – as we conclude this devotional about seasons and have specifically discussed navigating the season of singleness – God has purpose for every season in your life.

I want to challenge you to think about this in a more meaningful way. Rather than being discontent with where you are in life, choose to trust that God has a purpose for you there.  Matthew 6 has some great words of encouragement for learning to trust God with where you’re at in life and with your futures. Verses 25-26 say, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” And verse 34 tells us “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

So where are you, and what does God have you doing today? Rejoice in the opportunity to glorify Him with the place, the responsibility and the people that He has placed in front of you. When you can genuinely live to honor God with what He puts in front of you, you will find yourself worrying less and less about the future; and you will begin to realize that this kind of trust in God leads you into the true freedom that you’ve been seeking all along.

Deepening questions:

• With what aspect(s) of your life do you find it difficult to trust God?
• How could choosing to trust God in those areas transform your perspective of them?
• What have you learned about God and about yourself over the past 21 days of this devotional?

Further reading:

Philippians 1:12-30, Psalm 16:11, Nehemiah 8:10