This week, as I was studying Ecclesiastes chapter three, verses 11-15 stuck out to me like a neon sign (I like this analogy if you haven’t noticed). They read:
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.” Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 KJV
These verses are incredibly counterculture. There is so much pressure to figure it out. To have the answer. To know the next move. To see the bigger picture.
But why? Where does the pressure come from?
Short answer: family, friends, society, and self.
But here’s the thing, we are only here to please God. Not our families. Not our friends. Not society. And not even ourselves.
In verse 11, the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, tells us God intentionally designed our lives so we wouldn’t know it all.
(Someone reminded me recently, why would we need to rely on God or have any faith at all if we knew it all, all the time?)
Unknowns are a part of our lives, and they’re just as intentional and beneficial as the biggest blessing you can think of.
Because God placed them there.
Not only is it okay not to know, but Solomon goes as far as to say we should rejoice in them. For what God has given us (yes, even those unknowns) is a gift.
Maybe “I don’t know” won’t satisfy your family, friends, society, or self- but it can PLEASE God!
This week, let’s rejoice in the unknowns. Let’s look to the Father and acknowledge that what’s unknown to us, is fully known by Him. Let’s set out, not to figure it out, but to find what He has hidden for us along the way.
