DAY 2 — WHEN GOOD THINGS BECOME ULTIMATE THINGS
DAY 2 — WHEN GOOD THINGS BECOME ULTIMATE THINGS
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”
Devotional
Solomon conducted an experiment.
What if the answer to life really is more?
More pleasure.
More possessions.
More experiences.
More accomplishment.
So he tried it.
He built houses, vineyards, gardens and parks. He accumulated wealth and possessions. He pursued pleasure and denied himself virtually nothing he desired.
And interestingly, Solomon doesn't say he experienced no pleasure.
He did.
He says his heart took delight in his work.
The problem was that pleasure wasn't the same thing as meaning.
Eventually he looked at everything he'd accumulated and accomplished and concluded:
It was chasing after the wind.
That's an important distinction.
Following Jesus doesn't require us to pretend good things aren't enjoyable.
A great meal is good.
A beautiful home is good.
Success at work can be good.
Vacations, hobbies, friendships and celebrations can all be wonderful gifts.
The danger comes when a good thing becomes an ultimate thing.
When something moves from:
“I'm thankful for this.”
to:
“I need this to be okay.”
we have begun asking a gift to do something only the Giver can do.
The answer isn't necessarily to get rid of the gift.
It's to put it back in its proper place.
Reflect
What good things bring you the most enjoyment right now?
Is there anything in your life that has quietly moved from something you enjoy to something you need in order to feel okay?
Prayer
God, thank You for the good things You have given me. Forgive me for the times I've turned Your gifts into substitutes for You. Help me enjoy what You've given me with gratitude while keeping my heart centered on You. Amen.
Today's Step
Choose one thing you enjoy today and intentionally thank God for it.
Say:
“God, thank You for this gift. Help me enjoy it without making it my god.”
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”
Devotional
Solomon conducted an experiment.
What if the answer to life really is more?
More pleasure.
More possessions.
More experiences.
More accomplishment.
So he tried it.
He built houses, vineyards, gardens and parks. He accumulated wealth and possessions. He pursued pleasure and denied himself virtually nothing he desired.
And interestingly, Solomon doesn't say he experienced no pleasure.
He did.
He says his heart took delight in his work.
The problem was that pleasure wasn't the same thing as meaning.
Eventually he looked at everything he'd accumulated and accomplished and concluded:
It was chasing after the wind.
That's an important distinction.
Following Jesus doesn't require us to pretend good things aren't enjoyable.
A great meal is good.
A beautiful home is good.
Success at work can be good.
Vacations, hobbies, friendships and celebrations can all be wonderful gifts.
The danger comes when a good thing becomes an ultimate thing.
When something moves from:
“I'm thankful for this.”
to:
“I need this to be okay.”
we have begun asking a gift to do something only the Giver can do.
The answer isn't necessarily to get rid of the gift.
It's to put it back in its proper place.
Reflect
What good things bring you the most enjoyment right now?
Is there anything in your life that has quietly moved from something you enjoy to something you need in order to feel okay?
Prayer
God, thank You for the good things You have given me. Forgive me for the times I've turned Your gifts into substitutes for You. Help me enjoy what You've given me with gratitude while keeping my heart centered on You. Amen.
Today's Step
Choose one thing you enjoy today and intentionally thank God for it.
Say:
“God, thank You for this gift. Help me enjoy it without making it my god.”
Posted in Daily Devotional