January 19, 2024 — “The Practical Side Of Religion”

“I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

There is a practical side to all things – and all things practical do not bring to us glamour or recognition. In the church, there is plenty that happens that few people notice, few people think about, and few people even care that someone is doing it. They just expect that it will be done, and there will be hell to pay if someone forgets. These things do not bring anyone glory – but they do bring satisfaction that it is done for the Lord.

For example, someone needs to vacuum the Nave and make sure the heat or air conditioning is scheduled to come on before the services. Not everyone is called to preach – not everyone is called to play the organ, the guitar or the piano for worship. But for the church to function, there is a weekly grind that happens so the bulletin is done, the altar is prepared, and the coffee hour is staffed.

Just because the work does not bring recognition does not mean that G-d does not see the joy that people feel for doing the little things, the uninteresting things, and the drudgery of church-life. The same is true in our daily, secular lives. G-d blesses those practical Christians, people who are willing to do the work even if it means weariness, or a lack of emotion, and especially if it requires sacrifice. Just because our faithfulness seems to fall upon blind eyes, our Lord sees all that we do, for the glory of G-d, and for the practical side of life.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to remember the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes: “…everyone should find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” Amen.

Pastor Dave