Time for Many Purposes

“If work has no single, unchanging purpose, perhaps it has a myriad of purposes, each meaningful in its own time.” 

Theology of Work

We search the world for meaning, for purpose, for reasons. When the world does not offer wanted answers, we wonder if God has forgotten us. If we pray to God for meaning, for purpose, for reasons, and He does not respond as we expect, we doubt that God is listening. We crave more and more of the world's tokens, collecting the trophies of greed and pride; yet, we are empty. And still, God calls to us and seeks us ~ wherever we are. God has designed each of us for His purpose, a myriad of purposes.

As the Women’s Bible Study on Ecclesiastes is ending, we have examined Solomon’s words and thoughts, admittedly some are depressing and discouraging. In the beginning chapters there is so much emptiness and futility of life, questions about purpose and meaning. Ecclesiastes in a book in the Bible which really must be read in full to gather its complete intention. God’s gifts of work and purpose are for us to discover, use, and enjoy! Friendships and community bring both joy and security. There are seasons for all cycles of life: from birth to death, from planting to harvest, from youth to old age. All the while the world endlessly seeks to create chaos and doubt. The truth remains that God’s creation is beautiful and full of purpose, and we can never understand the ways God works. At the book’s conclusion, we find a simple response - love God and follow His ways.

Questions, reasonable and ridiculous, will probably always disrupt our thoughts. What kind of God lets me confess what He already knows? What kind of God listens to my petitions when He knows I will fail again? What kind of God forgives my mistakes just because I ask? What kind of God loves more than enough? What kind of God calls me Beloved? Mercy comes quietly and whispers of tender words call ~ My Beloved, you are Mine. You are forgiven. I will never let you go. Now, let's be about My purpose. There's a harvest waiting. I love you. Baruch Hashem Adonai! Blessed be the name of the Lord! What inner peace! Amen. ~dho

The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.  Fredrick Buechner