WHAT IS BETTER THAN TRANQUILITY IN YOUR LIFE?
“Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV)
Nothing beats tranquility.
Solomon wrote the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Proverbs is practical advice for everyday life. Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s search for meaning in life “under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9 NIV). At the end of the day, he realized, the only thing that truly matters is our relationship with God. Solomon was old when he wrote the book. He had the hindsight most of us do when we start to age. He knew the difference between life with God, and life without Him. He knew which life led to peace and tranquility. Life with God is better than life without Him.
God provides tranquility.
When we live our lives in obedience to God, we find peace. We recognize that no matter what happens in our lives, He’s in control. When something bad happens, He knows. When something good happens, He knows. Submitting to Him, placing our trust in Him, allows us to stop trying to run the world. Instead, we can accept things as they happen, trusting in God’s plan.
Think round peg, square hole. Have you ever seen someone trying desperately to make the wrong piece fit into a puzzle? No matter how hard they try to make the round cylinder fit into the square, they won’t succeed. Eventually the person’s frustration gets the best of them and they stop trying.
When we try to control our world, we’re putting a round peg in a square hole. We will never succeed. Instead, we are chasing after the wind. We’re trying to control something we were never meant to control. Life becomes frustrating the more we try to control it. Eventually, we want to give up and stop trying. When we give control to God, He does the work for us.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
God doesn’t reveal His purpose for our life all at once. He reveals His purpose moment by moment as we follow Him. When we submit our lives to Him, we know, good or bad, God has a plan. He is in control, we aren’t.
For instance, as a tennis teacher, I book lessons throughout the week. Rarely do I teach every lesson on my calendar. If rain starts falling from the sky, I have to cancel. Because I submit my life to God, I don’t fret one way or the other. If it rains, God didn’t want me teaching that day, if it doesn’t, He does. Either way, I trust His plan.
God provides tranquility when we place our trust in Him. Stop chasing the wind, instead, chase Jesus.
Question of the Day:
How can you chase Jesus today?
Further Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12 NIV, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7 NIV, Psalm 47 NIV, Proverbs 22:16 NIV
