Once Things Settle

7 Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works. Ecclesiastes 9:7

Pressures from ministry follow me home. Some days, even after the work is done, my spirit remains unsettled. I keep thinking I'll enjoy life more once a few things settle. Meanwhile, I can spend a whole afternoon somewhere I want to be and realize I wasn’t fully present.

That may be why the Teacher's first word catches me: “Go.” After all he's said about injustice and death, I would expect more explanation before sending us to enjoy a meal. I think I'd feel better with a few answers first.

But the Teacher says God has already welcomed this kind of enjoyment. I don't have to wait for every question to be answered to receive what He's given.

He seems willing to sit down at the table with his questions still unanswered. I wonder what it would take for me to do the same.

I'm still asking God to change things. This verse makes me wonder what He has already given me that I am too distracted to receive.

Father, You are aware of my headspace. Help me be present today, attentive to the people beside me, and grateful for the good we can share.