Enjoy (Daily Encouragement Series)
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
– Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
In the midst of all the uncertainty, tragedy, frustration, hardship in the world, it can be easy to forget to ENJOY. Some of us feel bad about enjoying something while others may be suffering. Some of us find it difficult to enjoy anything while there is hardship in our lives and those around us. I love that the Ecclesiastes passage says to “find enjoyment in all the toil.” Part of the meaning of the word for toil is “work severely; irksomeness”. Life feels “irksome” & “severe” right now. And God wants us to find some enjoyment right in the middle of it.
Last night was “opening night” for a little summer pass we do at a local executive golf course. For some reason, it brings me joy to be outside, to be with family or friends, to look at a little ball and try to make it do what you want it to do, to hit it really far. It was good to take an hour or two and “enjoy”. Using the example of “coffee” (which is high on my list of “enjoy” as well), Trust for Today* reminds us that when we enjoy something, “Jesus enjoys this setting and experience as much as you do.”
“Some people just drink coffee. They don’t care if its’ from a pot in a convenience store or burned from sitting all morning. After all, it’s just coffee. Others, perhaps you, demand something more. The beans, water, process, and everything surrounding it must be done exactly so. Or it’s not really coffee. For you, coffee equates to self-care.
Now, place yourself in the perfect setting for that cup of coffee. Invite the ideal friends who’d enjoy a perfectly brewed cup as much as you. What does that feel like? You might use words like “serenity,” “peace,” “warmth.” All is well with the world.
Nothing profound here, only this: Jesus enjoys this setting and experience as much as you do. He even enjoys those folk who think it’s just coffee. It’s who He is.”
What are things you enjoy? How can you create those “settings” during this time? How can you experience little experiences of “enjoying” each day?
Enjoy it. Jesus enjoys it too.
*From Trust for Today, “A Good Cup of Coffee”, p. 2.7