Enjoy Life Despite Death
Open Your Bible
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18, Psalm 16:11, James 1:17
BY Guest Writer
A day will come for all of us when we are separated from the ones we love most. This is heartbreaking. It was never meant to be this way. Death was not a part of the design specs of the garden of Eden, and this is why death affects us so deeply; our minds and hearts were not engineered to handle the effects of death. But God has wisdom for us, and through Solomon, has given counsel for navigating “the vapor” that is life under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:2–4).
King Solomon tells us to enjoy life while we’re living it. Plain, simple, to the point. We are to look at what God has given us—the blessings we acknowledge and everything we take for granted—and maximize our joy in those gifts from Him. We are to leverage them to care for His Church, and in the process, He makes us more aware of what we’ve been given: “The righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands” (Ecclesiastes 9:1). Solomon tells us to savor our meals, to tell stories and clank our glasses with friends, looking into the eyes of our fellow image-bearers. Why? Because it won’t always be like this. These moments are fleeting, so grab them now.
Wisdom in this life involves more than just fighting sin; wisdom also means fully living the life God has given us. Because of Jesus’s death and rising, we realize it’s not unspiritual to enjoy life—it’s actually biblical—for the glory of God and for our good. Jesus defeating death shows us that God doesn’t ignore the beauties of physical human life; He redeems them. Therefore, we ought to enjoy them and give thanks for them in the moment, which is an act of those who are fully alive, “for the living know that they will die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
This does not mean that we can shirk our responsibilities in pursuit of our own personal pleasure and comfort—that’s worldliness. Disciples of Christ discover joy in the ordinariness of life. Today, resolve to be present and relish in what you have been given from God, enjoying and acknowledging “every good and perfect gift” from “the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows,” despite our circumstances (James 1:17).
Whatever you do in this life, do it all the way. Whatever it is that you’ve been called to do for work, family, church—do it with all your strength (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Life’s too fleeting for half-measures and good intentions. Both are ultimately empty acts, and Jesus came so that each of us “may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). Love and live fully, laugh until you cry, embrace those around you. Enjoy life today, remembering that it is a vapor, but that in our God’s presence are abundant joys and eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11).
56 thoughts on "Enjoy Life Despite Death"
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Reading this gives me such a sigh of relief. The weight of the world, fighting sin, always trying to do better. All good things, but God has also created a space for us to enjoy life, because these good things to enjoy are gifts from him. What a waste if we don’t stop to enjoy them and give him praise.
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ERRICKA HAGER I loved your take in this. Ice often thought the same. Solomon had wisdom, that which we are all seeking. Still he failed God. We are not perfect, BUT GOD! ♡
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Amen…powerful
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I find it so very interesting that Solomon requested wisdom and knowledge and *because* of his request, God granted him what he asked PLUS that which would distract him from the very path he thought he wanted. Solomon had all the wisdom and knowledge, but God shows us through him very compelling reasons why He does not grant every request we might think we need. And all of this is within the wisdom of God’s great plan, the using of a vessel not only for honor, but also for dishonor. What a lesson in our multifaceted makeup as fallen human beings and how not one of us is immune from the fallenness of this world, as well as a lesson in God’s power and wisdom that we cannot fathom but that we can surely trust!
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Wow. Needed that so much. Just last night I was worrying/dreading/crying over having to physically go back to work after working from home for the last 10 weeks… the catch is… I don’t even know when I’m supposed to go back but I’m already fretting over leaving my babies (7 and 4)… I’ve gotten so used to being with them, delighting in them. But this reminded me to just live for today.. enjoy this life God has graciously given me and the opportunity to work, support my family and be with my family all at the same time.
And not to worry about tomorrow. God is in control… even when I feel out of control! ❤️
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Things are so challenging in our society right now. I spent a lot of my day feeling anxious and uncomfortable, but so many things going on will need time to fix. It’s not instant. Reading Ecclesiastes is a little glimmer of light: life should be enjoyed. There are hardships, but God provides us with beautiful things wherever we are. Definitely going to spend more time looking for the daily joys that seem to get swept under the carpet of unsettling current events. ❤️
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Churchmouse, I understand where you are coming from. I, too, am immunocompromised and haven’t stepped foot in a public place since mid-March. My church had the first in person service this past Sunday and masks were strongly encouraged, however not even all staff chose to wear them. I spoke with my two closest church friends and neither were planning to wear a mask. This was hard to hear, and I will most likely remain home the rest of the summer. All that to say, I know my church has spent much time in prayer and discussion regarding reopening. The pastor has sent emails letting us know there are people who think the guidelines are too lenient, and some who think they are too strict. The pastor and elders are in a tough position and I am choosing to extend grace to them and understand that this will not go on forever. I do hope you choose to return to the church at some point. From your kind, thoughtful comments here I can only imagine your presence is an asset. Hugs to you, this too shall pass.
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Just a quick note as I am running late for work. Restrictions in our country have not lifted enough to allow us to meet again in our church building. However we are setting up home hubs, where small groups of people are able to gather together in each other’s homes to watch the live stream and love and serve each other and fellowship with each other. Could this be an option for those who aren’t able to meet in a church building right now, with face masks and social distancing? In many ways it reminds me if how the early church used to meet in houses and the community they created
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