Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Solomon got some things right. He watched his nobles and he watched the common people, and realized that the common people didn’t really have it worse than the nobles. This is one place where I like the NIV and ESV better than the Japanese, because the English translations say, “do good,” but the Japanese says, “have a good time.” If we are rightly related to God we will have a good time doing good, but the priority needs to be on the doing good! The big point to me in this is in verse 13, that taking pleasure in the work we have to do is a gift from God. Human beings aren’t created to be aimless, just existing. One of our fundamental needs is to feel that we are accomplishing things, that we are being beneficial. When that need is met, even toil is satisfying, even pleasurable. That’s one of the problems of modern society. It can be more difficult to get that sort of satisfaction when you are a “paper pusher,” not necessarily seeing the results of what you do all day. Some people look down on what are called “manual trades,” but when a plumber finishes his job, the water works! That’s not to say that strictly mental labor can’t be satisfying, but here the Japanese expression is helpful: we need to “discover” happiness in our work. It’s largely a matter of attitude. If we focus on the negatives – and every job has them – then we will be miserable. If we focus on the good things, which every job also has, we will discover that the job itself is a gift from God.

Most of my adult life has been spent in “non-manual” labor, and I have found that things like carpentry and electrical work have been very welcome breaks in my usual activities. I have held all sorts of jobs, prior to coming to Omura, from being a night janitor cleaning office buildings to being a truck driver, and each one had its points. As a teacher, the satisfaction came in the students that caught on and really received the material I was presenting, and the same could be said for being a pastor. I can say, with gratitude, that the Lord has enabled me to see the good in each job I have held. He doesn’t want us to be aimless, but to accomplish things for our own benefit and the benefit of those around us. That gives Him satisfaction and glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for Your grace toward me over the years. At 76, manual labor isn’t as attractive – or as possible – as it once was, but You do give me a sense of accomplishment in various things. Thank You that the pictures are printed and titled for my photo show next month. Thank You for the preparation I’ve been able to make for the Motivational Gifts teaching I’ll be doing on Thursday. Guide me in completing that fully, so that I’ll be properly prepared, and not just in the hand-out materials. May I indeed accomplish what You desire of me, on Your schedule, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!