ROOTED - Thursday, July 18, 2024

Ecclesiastes 2: 24, 26
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. … For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy.

 

Reflection: Ecclesiastes…
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

Today has been a good day. Per Tuesday’s Rooted Devotional, I am reminded that occasionally I have bad days. But mostly they are good. Today for lunch I went to the new Latin Market by the church, and I saw many foods I grew up eating… odd root vegetables, Goya products a plenty, Coco Rico (a coconut soda), various sweets and treats. It was good to walk through a great Latin market. I am going to enjoy having the expanded food options so close to my home and workplace. I soon found myself buying a few pastries to snack on, a drink or two to quench my thirst in the summer heat, and a steamed tamale for a hot lunch. A good day in the making!
Per the previous Rooted devotional, we are reminded that God takes our bad days and uses it to teach us to trust Him. In this way we view our bad days in light of God’s ongoing work and ministry in my life. I account for God when I am having a bad day. I see God in it… his purposes in it. Similarly, I account for God in the good days. Ecclesiastes tells us in clear fashion: the enjoyment of the fruit of our labor (the good days when we have the opportunity to enjoy the world around us) is a gift from God. God gives us good days. He does so as a gift, because he loves us. It is in the heart of God to bless his people. So, remember the next time you have a good day to thank God for it. He ordained that I should have a good day… a day enjoying tamales, sweet pastries, and yummy drinks. And I thank God. Who else would I thank?


Prayer
Lord, thank you for the good days you give us. Help us to remember to thank you for the good, even as we struggle through the bad.