What We Were Made For

By Samantha Rodriguez

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things . . . Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.”—Ecclesiastes 11:5, 7–8

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. ‘Everything is meaningless!’ Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”— Ecclesiastes 12:8–14

As we end our time in Ecclesiastes, think about how it made you feel. Was it annoyingly repetitive? Refreshingly honest? Frustrating or pessimistic? Relieving or comforting? It’s important to recognize the difference between hopeless doubt and curious questioning.

The book of Ecclesiastes is honest and real. The questions and observations made are relatable and reassuring. Think about how cool it is that God would put a book like this in His divinely inspired Word! The truth is, there’s something incredibly humbling and necessary about recognizing our limits and the futility of our earthly pursuits. When we can put life on earth into perspective, as the Book of Ecclesiastes does, it becomes clear the only source of eternal joy, purpose, and identity must come from our Creator!

For most of Ecclesiastes 11, Solomon encourages the reader to look beyond what’s seen and take calculated risks. What does this mean? Whatever circumstances God has for us, there are ways to take faithful risks, follow God’s rules for daily living, and trust that His instructions are for our good. So, take a step of faith knowing that the outcome is in God’s hands!

Even youth and vigor will not last. While there’s value in enjoying one’s youth, there’s also a responsibility before God as Judge. Your zest for life will fade just as everything else grows weary. Death is certain, and dust will return to dust. When this life is all you set your mind on, it’s all meaningless. The eternal gifts are only found in relationship and obedience with God, the Good Shepherd.

Though Ecclesiastes seems skeptical at times, God is real to the speakers. Solomon sums it up in Ecclesiastes 12:13b (NIV): “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Does he really mean we were made to simply fear and obey? Yet this is what these ideas really mean:

• To fear God isn’t to let the fear of anything else control you. To fear God is to have a profound awareness of His holiness and His unmerited grace towards imperfect and sinful people. To fear God is to be completely captivated by a life with Him because a life apart from Him is what terrifies you most.
• To keep God’s commandments is to trust that God created them for our good. They exist to bring us into a closer relationship with Him by making us aware of our shortcomings and pointing us to the need for a Savior. As Jesus said Himself, the greatest commands are to love God with all we are and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This is what we were made for!

Pause: What’s currently shaping my sense of purpose most—my own ambitions and fears or a holy awareness of God and a desire to walk closely with Him?

Practice: Spend a few minutes with God, asking Him to reveal Himself in your priorities. Identify an area where you’ve been holding back, perhaps out of fear, comfort, or control. Then, identify an area where you need to surrender. Take whatever small step of obedience God puts on your heart and invite a friend into that decision!

Pray: Father God, You are holy and kind! Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for having my best interests at heart. Grow in me the deep, holy, and beautiful fear of God that leads to true life. I want to be so captivated by Your character and Your love that everything else pales in comparison! Meet me in my daily worship, in Your Word, in Your people, and in prayer. I love you, Lord. Amen.

Thank you so much for journeying with us through these last 10 days!

If you're looking for resources for mental health, please visit https://resources.calvaryftl.org/mental-health/