The Good Life

My message to you today is inspired by a profound teaching I recently encountered from “The Bible Project” on the wisdom found in the book of Ecclesiastes. 

In my daily journey to grow, learn, and become the best husband, dad, friend, and person I can be, I’ve discovered that diving into God’s word is the most powerful way to guide that process. Even if your perspective differs, I genuinely believe that the insights I'm about to share will bring a fresh sense of joy and meaning to your life.

When we talk about "The Good Life," what exactly do we mean? 

Is it the pursuit of wealth, the thrill of pleasure, or the climb to social status? 

Ecclesiastes has a different take. It’s a book that gets straight to the heart of the matter, stripping away all the illusions we often cling to. Life, it says, is like smoke—fleeting, unpredictable, and, at times, impossible to grasp. We chase after things we think will give our lives meaning, but in the end, we’re left with nothing solid. Just when you're enjoying a moment of beauty, tragedy strikes, and it all seems to slip through your fingers. 

How often do we find ourselves striving for something only to realize that, once we have it, it doesn’t satisfy us the way we thought it would?

So, what’s the point, then? If life is so unpredictable and often unfair, where do we find true joy and purpose? 

Here’s the kicker: the book of Ecclesiastes suggests that the key to true enjoyment of life lies in accepting that life is out of our control. The teacher, who wrote this book, comes to a profound realization—it's not about clinging to life’s fleeting pleasures or trying to make sense of its mysteries. Instead, it’s about trusting God completely and enjoying the simple, good things in life as they come.

Think about it. How often do we let our worries about the future or regrets about the past steal the joy of the present moment? 

We miss out on the goodness right in front of us—a warm meal, a sunny day, the laughter of our loved ones—because we’re too caught up in what we think life should be. But what if we shifted our focus? What if we embraced the fact that we can't control everything and instead, simply enjoyed life as we experience it?

Now, you might wonder, does that mean we should just throw our hands up and stop caring about anything? Not at all. 

Ecclesiastes doesn’t advocate for a life of indifference. Rather, it points us towards wisdom—the kind that comes from living with a deep sense of trust in God. When we trust that God has a plan, even when we can’t see it, we’re freed from the burden of trying to figure everything out on our own. 

This trust allows us to live with a sense of peace and contentment, even when life doesn’t make sense.

Let me ask you this: When was the last time you truly savored a moment without worrying about what came next? Maybe it was a quiet evening with your family, a good conversation with a friend, or a moment of solitude in nature. Those are the moments Ecclesiastes urges us to cherish. They are God’s gifts to us, reminders that life’s greatest joys are often found in the simplest things.

In the end, the book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that life is full of mysteries, and trying to solve them all is a fool’s errand. But when we place our trust in God and learn to appreciate the good things He gives us, we discover a life of true meaning and purpose. 

It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about having faith that, even in the midst of life’s uncertainties, we can find joy and contentment.

So, as you go about your day, remember this: The good life isn’t about what you have or what you achieve. It’s about who you are and how you choose to live each moment. Every choice, every breath, is an opportunity to lean into the beauty of life as it unfolds.

One final encouragement on the topic of the “the good stuff”—my friend Brian recently shared something that struck me deeply. He said, “Every morning I wake up thankful for the gift of a new day, knowing there’s no promise I’ll get to finish it. But that’s what makes each moment precious.”

So, trust in God, embrace the beauty of the present, and let go of the need to control every outcome. That’s the real key to a life overflowing with  joy, purpose, peace, and gratitude.

Sweet Regards,

Brock 

P.S. Life’s mysteries might be puzzling, but that’s what makes the journey so incredible. After all, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get” ~ Forrest Gump’s mom 😊❤️

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