HAVING FUN UNDER THE SUN THROUGH SHARING

See life with the woman whom you love all the days of your vain life, which He has given to you under the sun – all the days of your vanity; for this is your portion in life and in your labor in which you have labored under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9

A pastor in one local church preached a message which he thought was the best that he had ever preached. After the message, people were flooding him with accolades on how great the message was; probably the best that they had ever heard. Expecting to hear a similar comment from his wife, he waited expectantly as they were in the car driving home. However, his wife was quiet, just looking out the window. Finally, he asked, “How many great preachers do you think are in the world?” She remained quiet. He thought that maybe he didn’t hear him, so he asked again. Finally, she responded: “One less than you think.”

Read Ecclesiastes 9:1-9. Verses 7-9 could be summarized as “having fun under the sun with your hon.” That kind of “fun” requires unity (not uniformity) of mind, goals and love (Philippians 2:1-11). And that requires a lot of effort. Do you see that in Ecclesiastes 9:10? Ecclesiastes 9 is about sharing to find fun under the sun. You share with others (vv. 1-6). You share with your wife (vv. 7-10). You share what you have with those who need it during the time that God gives you on this present earth (vv. 11-18). Our opportunity is now (vs. 10). At death, our opportunity is gone. So, we use our God-given resources and gifts (John 3:27) to serve the will of God; and His will is His word – nothing more, nothing less and nothing else. We may not understand His ways, but the Divine architect doesn’t build a staircase that leads to nowhere.

Ike Graham