From Pastor Ben:
Common Trivia:
Why are there dimples on golf balls? If you answered that the reason that dimples were put on golf balls wa to increase speed, you were right. In fact they help create a turbulent air pocket around the golf ball, giving it more speed which also helps them fly higher and longer, as wells as helping it stay on course. Who knew?
Challenge:
Ecclesiastes 5:18 "Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life."
These next few verses in Ecclesiastes are meant to be reminders for us as to what our outlook needs to be. We are to consider God as the source of wealth, and therefore these simple pleasures, riches, and the ability to enjoy them comes from Him. Therefore, Solomon uses this as an admonition to enjoy the richness of life that God lovingly gives to us.
We should focus on joying in His many blessing, rather than protecting and holding onto them. We should place our values on accepting and recognizing these earthly gains as gracious gifts poured out on us by our loving, gracious God.
The best strategy for life is to enjoy the common activities of life, such as eating, drinking, and working as gracious gifts from the hands of our loving God. After all, no one or nothing can rob us from these joys that we have experienced thus far.
Recognize the value of a confident and contented outlook on life, for after all, these are the many gifts that our Heavenly Father has gifted us with as His children. We are reminded of this needed outlook as we remember this very same thinking being passed on to the Hebrew people in Deut. 14:26 NIV: "Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice."
This reminds me of a scientific experiment where children were given basic toys to play with. They were happily enjoying these toys until a curtain was drawn and on the other side of the window were placed more extravagant toys. The mood of the children immediately began changing to frustration, irritation, and unhappiness. You may ask, What had changed? Well of course, it was the potential presence of toys they were incapable of attaining.
So Go With God for He knows what the present experiences in our lives will bring to our daily walk. He alone knows the future and the benefit that is intended for those events that He allows into our lives. Whether they be challenges, struggles, or blessings and benefits, all of them are intended for good in our life.
Remember: Mark 7:37 ... "He hath done all things well." Whatever we face in life, He will make sure that it will bring blessings to our lives.