As we travel various highways,
it’s always fun to come across unique signs, or perhaps more accurately
stated—uniquely placed signs. This is one of my favorites! Now to be fair, the
road rises then abruptly approaches a slight decline; making it difficult to
see any stranded motorists or other obstacles immediately ahead. The sign does
serve a valuable purpose. The humor is revealed in the placement of the sign just
beside a small mound of earth that momentarily obstructs the sightseer’s view
of the beautiful and spacious New Mexico landscape.
My dear friends, that is just
what we do! All too often we allow some small mound of worry to momentarily block
our view of our Heavenly Father’s plan for our lives. Take a moment to think of
the stress factors in your life: work? family? friends? health? finances?
politics? education? Now to be clear, my goal is not to minimize your concerns;
rather, I simply want you to take some time to place your concerns into
perspective.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
Our Heavenly Father has amazing
plans for our lives. I truly believe as long as we are living and breathing,
God can and will use us in ways we cannot even imagine. Opportunities to use the
talents, abilities, and knowledge God has given us are everywhere. It’s just
sometimes hard to see those opportunities because our focus is concentrated in
the wrong places—on worry.
From time to time, I like to
revisit the book of Ecclesiastes just to check in on the thoughts of King
Solomon, the wisest of earthly men. In his unique way he addresses this very
topic, although a few key words tend to sidetrack most readers. Read the
following passage carefully:
“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NIV)
Unfortunately, most readers
focus on the old “eat, drink, and be merry” cliché when reading the above
passage. I see something different. God provides many opportunities for using
all the talents, gifts, abilities, and knowledge he has given us. He wants us
to be happy working and serving others—“for this is our lot” [responsibility].
A person who does this “seldom reflects on the days of his life” [worry,
stress, etc.], “because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart,”
[service to others]. The lesson I see is that when I am focused and busy using
my gifts, talents, and abilities to help others; ultimately, I have less time
to worry. It’s all just a matter of looking beyond the little hills that
momentarily block our view to see the wonderful plans our Heavenly Father has prepared
for us.
Respectfully written and
submitted by:
Dotty Willmon, Resurrection
Christian
