Today we will read Ecclesiastes 11: 7-10:

7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

8 Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all, yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

9 Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

10 Banish anxiety from your mind, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

As I read out passage today, I thought of that old song from the 1980s, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”  

You may remember it, it was pretty catchy.  The main theme of the song is the singer goes through all the terrible things happening in his life but at the end of each one, he sings, don’t worry, be happy. 

Or perhaps you remember Hakuna Matata from the Lion King.  No worries, for the rest of your days. That’s the kind of vibe we with within the passage today.  The teacher tells us to banish anxiety from our minds, put pain away from our bodies.  God is watching, God will bring judgment, sure, but there is not a lot we can do (other than be faithful).  So, trust, but don’t worry.  

That may be the takeaway that the Teacher comes to. When we began this book, everything worried him. Everything was vanity. Everything was terrible.  Nothing brought life. It was all awful. Ugh, just pain, everywhere. 

But today, he says this.  Banish anxiety. Don’t worry about it.  Live this moment, faithfully.  Understand you don’t know all.  And trust.  

I think the Teacher got tired of beating his head against the wall and just realized he wasn’t God, he didn’t have to know everything, understand everything, or be everything. He just had to live, faithfully, today. And that’s about it.  Don’t worry about the rest of it. 

That’s good for us today as well.  Live faithfully today. That’s it. Don’t worry, be happy. Trust in God.  All will be well.  He has it.  Live today. The rest will take care of itself.  

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