How can we balance our work?
Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Helen Leckie answers:
What did I like about today’s passage?
Again, I love the honesty and passion for justice in the Teacher’s thoughts. He recognises the injustice that comes from oppression, and the lack of comfort he sees.
This paragraph also struck me:
“Fools fold their hands
and ruin themselves.
Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.” (Ecc 4:5-6)
There is a balance to be had between doing nothing as fools do, or working all the time for ‘two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind’. Can we work for ‘one handful’ – that is, less than our absolute maximum capacity, and allow ourselves the tranquility of accepting what we have rather than chasing after something that exhausts us and leaves us no time to enjoy life?
This speaks to me as someone who works full time, with a family, and involvement with my local community and church community, and especially coming up to Christmas, that I’m in danger of rushing around and volunteering myself for things without taking the time to enjoy the season. I’m aware that other people may be in a different place, either without a chance at respite or without enough to do. I pray that God will be able to bring a balance in your life, and that the seasons we saw in Chapter 3 will change for you soon.
What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?
I love the focus in chapter 6 on God being someone who loves us to listen, and do as he says rather than talking to much or making rash promises. I love the acknowledgement that comes again and again throughout the book that the ability to take pleasure from things is a gift from God that not everyone has. For this we can give thanks, and look for small things to take joy in.
What am I going to do differently as a result?
I am going to think very carefully about what I say yes and no to this week. I am going to give thanks for what I have pleasure in.
Who am I going to share this with?
I think asking what small things we took pleasure in would make a good dinner table discussion with my family.