Enjoying Life

“Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.”

(Eccl. 9:7)

Enjoying life is a reoccurring theme in Ecclesiastes. Solomon brings it up on five different occasions. The Bible says we are to live life to its fullest. Jesus came not only that we might have life, but have it more abundantly! Yes, death is coming, but we are not to sit around and brood; but, rather, we are to enjoy richly all the things God has given us. There is a segment of Christianity today that is miserable, waiting for a Rapture to find joy, never realizing God has rapturous joys now in this life. Peter speaks about those who love life, 1 Pet. 3:10.

The man or woman, who knows the God who made the sun, can enjoy everything He gives us under the sun. There is nothing wrong with eating, drinking, and being merry as long as we do not (like the rich fool) leave God out of it. The prodigal son found out these things could be a blessing or a curse. Doing these things in the far country brought no joy, but once there was a sacrifice, he was able to enjoy them. Eating, drinking, and being merry can be devilish or delightful. It all depends on whether we find enjoyment in the things themselves or see them as special gifts from God. If the former, they are empty enjoyments; if the latter, there is fullness of joy.

"We can make the things of this life sensual or spiritual. It all depends on which side of the sun we view them from."

(rds)