Hello friends! It’s been a few weeks but last time we were together, we were on Part 2 of my three part series on Ecclesiastes 11. We talked about Digging Intentionally, Internally, and Intimately. We never know what God is doing- so it’s our job to continue to pursue His people and be ready to dig deep to create space for seed to be planted in their lives. We also talked about what this means for us personally- to break ground in our own hearts so that we can be more impressionable- by The Word and not The World.
This week we’re going to end our series with a new format and a farewell of sorts. I’ll be taking a break for the remainder of the summer to work on Digging Internally, myself! I’m also going to be giving some thought on how to proceed with the blog and podcast in the future. It’s my goal to do more scripture series and topical discussions as well as bring more voices into the mix! It’s been a challenge with COVID, but I see light at the end of the tunnel, and I know that this little break will help me to see more clearly the direction that the Lord is wanting to take me. So while this may be the end of a season, it surely is just the beginning of something greater to come!
Part 3- A Busy Body
Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon,
for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. Ecclesiastes 11:6
I love this verse for so many reasons. As the concluding statement in this section of Ecclesiastes 11, it persists with the idea that God is ultimately in control. Though we don’t understand how He’s working half the time, it shouldn't stop us from doing what we’ve set out to do- which is serve Him and His people. King Solomon says “you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another... or both!”
“Or both” is my favorite part. He doesn’t say “or neither”. He believes in a God that can use it all and never doubts that prosperity will come. He believes in a God that says “I see you trying, and I will work that for My good. I see you failing, and I will also work that for My good.” What a great God we serve, that can make use of our best efforts and worst failures.
The sad truth is that as believers, we have an “or neither” attitude so much of the time. We put our “feelers” out there for ministry or service, and we wait for someone to take the bait. We think to ourselves, well, maybe it’ll work. Maybe it won’t. Maybe it’ll be the Facebook post that I shared that will bring them to church, or maybe it’ll be the text I sent last week … or maybe neither. Maybe they just don’t want to come to church at all, and I can’t take it personally.
It’s hard getting up early to plant that seed. It’s hard to do all the digging that’s required. It’s difficult to keep busy all afternoon, waiting to see if God will do something with what we’ve done. It can be extremely discouraging when it doesn’t happen in the timeframe you’ve imagined.
I remember running track in Jr. High and High School. I ran the 400m dash and I would always get so sick to my stomach right before my event came. I’d look around and become suddenly overtaken by anxiety from the length of the race I was about to run. I would say to my mom, “I don’t want to do it. I’m so nervous.” My hands would start sweating and my voice would crack. Lumps would form in my throat as I suddenly felt numb from the waist down. Wishful thinking, I guess. Though I had done it a million times, there’s no greater rush of fear than when you step up to your lane and get on your mark.
I recall one time, my Mom telling me, “Oh, Kari Ann- it takes longer to cook a Poptart!” And as funny as that was- it put things into perspective for me. That gun would go off and I would have it in my mind that the Poptart was in the toaster, warming up for me. All I had to do was outrun that toaster and victory would be mine! It’d be all over and I could go back hanging out with friends and watching other people be nervous. Sure enough- the last stretch would come into view and I wouldn’t feel scared anymore. I’d feel empowered and I’d embrace that last stride to the finish line like the champion I was. (Typically coming in 1st-3rd place.. Just sayin’)
If only we could feel that way when it came to our daily lives. King Solomon knew that God’s provision would come and His purpose would be fulfilled just as my Mom knew I could finish my race. The perspective that God WILL work His plan out and He WILL use whatever we have to give Him- we need more of this on the earth. If we thought more in the “or both” mindset, we could work our way to triumph! .
Think about your life and all that’s happening right now. Not what’s on the news, not what’s happening with your family and friends, and not what’s on TikTok for goodness sake.
Are you living in an “or both” mindset? Do you believe God has the power to work in your circumstance? Are you working each day as if He will bring bountiful blessings to your field? I pray you know that the love of your generous Father withstands every culture clash, every financial woe, and every heartbreak you might be experiencing.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “Take heart. For I have overcome the world.” He wrote the Farmer’s Almanac. He knows which crops will fail and which will come in full abundance. We need only to keep busy. Let us be a Busy Body, carrying out the work of the Lord until we reap a harvest of holiness in this world.
Pray
Father, help me to walk into each day with a winning attitude. Help me to remember that every step I take, and every breath I breathe, You have ordained it and you are using it all for Your glory on this earth. May I walk in victory before the battles ever start. May I stand calm on the waters before the storm ever hits. May I work diligently in my patch of field where you have placed me before the harvest ever comes. Thank You for each day I get to spend loving your people and being loved by You.
Reflect
1. Reread Ecclesiastes 11:6. Are you living with an “or both” mindset? Why or why not?
2. What are some of the things that pop into your head that give you an “or neither” attitude? How do you think this affects your ability to do God’s work?
3. As a ploy to get you to consider reading more of this intriguing book of Ecclesiastes, here’s some more of King Solomon's thoughts on work and toiling on this earth. (Worth the read, read it and answer the question below.)
“I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world. Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless. So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him? God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please Him.”
How can you relate to Solomon here? For me, this hits all too close to home. Thankful for his honesty in the flesh and, in the end, clarity in the Lord.
Do Something
- For this week, make a Ministry To-Do List for yourself. Perhaps these are things you’ve always felt led to do but haven’t felt like it would make a difference. Try it! See what God does with what’s on your heart! (it could be as simple as making a meal for a neighbor in need.
- What are some failed attempts that may have caused you to have become discouraged in ministry? Make a list of them in a journal. How might you give those concerns to God this week?
- Think back at Part 2 of this series. What is one way you could Dig Intentionally, Internally, or Intimately with the lessons learned in Part 3? Write them down and work to complete those tasks this week. It’s not futile. It’s fruitful.
Further Reading
John 16:33- “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” NLT
Phillipians 1:3-6 “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” NLT
Hebrews 12:12-14 “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
Listen
Glory to You by 10,000 Fathers
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Lyrics (Sing Along this Week!)
