Happy Thanksgiving, the classical end to the harvest season, the celebration of stores to make it through to next spring.
King Solomon’s book Ecclesiastes, the one which seemed to be written during his midlife crisis, reminds us to enjoy food, drink, and work. Those are major components of modern day Thanksgiving, just as they were of the origins those hundreds of years ago. I included the lamenting Solomon describes to reinforce the conclusion he arrived at.
Ecclesiastes 3:18-26
18 I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. 19 And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! 20 So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.
21 Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn't worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. 22 So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? 23 Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.
24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This too, is meaningless-like chasing the wind.
So eat, drink, enjoy your work, and I might add spend some time with people and with God. Happy Thanksgiving.
-Joe
Outpost 95 