Ecclesiastes 1-3

“What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun?” (2:22). The “preacher,” probably King Solomon, realized that despite his success, creative projects, pleasures, and wealth, he was going to die like everyone else. This lack of control caused him despair (2:20), until he gradually understood that there was “a time for everything” (3:1-8). When we surrender our attempts to be gods, we can humbly enjoy God’s good gifts: “to be joyful and do good as long as they live” (3:13).

“He has made everything beautiful in its time” (3:11). Letting God be God gives us the freedom to enjoy the present moment and leave the future in His hands.