Day 17

Day 17  August 24, 2021 – Lisa McClure 

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.  I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also, that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man.

(NIV)  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  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.

I believe God delights in taking His time with us and isn’t that encouraging!  So much is done today in a rush and taking one’s time is a gift. We are given time to become, to be molded by our beautiful God, the Potter molding the clay. It makes me realize how much time I don’t give to God or Jesus. Yet, in His Grace, He gives me time to learn and know this:  He is willing to give me as much time as is needed to grow. He allows time as He forms flowers in the spring, as oak trees grow from acorns, as seeds grow into something solid and strong.

The earth is content to let Him create it’s beauty. And if you make it a point each day to notice it, you’ll sense that He has in fact set eternity in our hearts. Why else are you drawn back to that mountain stream or that ocean roar, or that river wild??  It’s something I find hard to describe, and there is a reason I want to return to those places of God’s creative and wild beauty… because it is eternity beckoning. We see the promise of renewal and the promise of finding Him in our everyday work-a-day lives.  He always has gifts to give!

For instance, something that only He knows makes you laugh and it will often catch you off guard. It may be a rough day you’re having but someone or something catches your heart and makes you stop and laugh. Guess what…its Jesus knowing what you need!

So, when we draw near to our God, let’s ask for those good gifts and that good contentment that comes from only Him. He knows what our hearts need and He will always give us His best. We can surely trust that.  He has made everything beautiful in its time and that especially means you!

Father, You are amazing and good beyond words. Help us express our contentment and joy in You in ways that touch others’ lives.  Jesus, how can we thank You for a love that would die for us, that would make it possible to be in the presence of a Holy God. We can love the way You loved. We can take our time and simply drink in the gifts you give each day, and we can share! We can realize this life doesn’t have to be perfect or polished and as a result, live in a contentment born of a heart grateful to You. Thank You for teaching us these things.

Jesus, it is in Your beautiful and powerful name we pray,

Amen.