“Gift of God”
12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
We named our first child, a boy, a variation of the name “John.” John means “gift of God.” I was surprised to read these two verses that share the Teacher’s definition of not only contentment but also that sense of being gifted and blessed by God. In the midst of the Teacher’s struggle with the seeming meaninglessness of life, he reflects that finding satisfaction with our lives is a gift from God. Certainly as I ponder our commercials encouraging us to buy this or that product, go on this or that cruise, indulge in this or that luxury, it seems like there is always a push from culture to make our life better. Our culture encourages us towards dissatisfaction. Either that or we are buying insurance to protect us in this or that mishap. I see the people in my children’s age group buying into homes with prices that boggle my mind. Finding satisfaction is an elusive dream.
How would you describe satisfaction? The Rolling Stones cut the song “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” and released it August 20, 1965, and it shot to the top of the charts. As I closely listen to the lyrics and not just enjoy the beat of the music, I find the words are just what the Teacher of Ecclesiastes would say.
The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (Official Lyric Video)
The Teacher concludes that “satisfaction” comes from God and is a gift. It is available to the rich and the poor, to the talented and untalented, to all of us everyday, in the midst of our toil. Let us think of a few things that give us that warm sense of contentment. Maybe it is a smile from a friend. Maybe it is just being able to sit with a loved one as that person declines with dementia. Maybe it is a sunrise or sunset. Lord, help me not to grumble today but open my eyes to see your gifts that bless my life.
On the Way to Wonder 