I was reading the book of Ecclesiastes recently. It is slowly becoming my favourite book and then I came across a scripture someone once gave to me about enjoying life. This woman is a family friend, a great friend of my mum. She’s a prophetess. A few days before I travelled to Cote d’ Ivoire in 2007, I went to see this woman to pray with me and all. You know, to seek God’s face about my journey. She didn’t say much, she just gave me one scripture that made a difference in how my trip was going to be like. Ecclesiastes 11:9:-

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; BUT KNOW THAT FOR ALL THESE GOD WILL BRING YOU INTO JUDGEMENT.”

The words hit me strong. She said that I could do anything that I wanted to do in this world. Climb the highest mountain, dance the craziest dance, and eat the nicest and yuckiest foods. In effect do all I wanted but I shouldn’t forget all there will be judgment. She said, God gives us the free will, to have fun, to chill, to go clubbing, to shop, to watch movies all day, to surf the net every second, to acquire all the nicest high-tech stuff of the world but know one thing, never forget it, breath it always…THERE WILL BE JUDGEMENT.

She said that the judgment of God limits us in the kind of things we have to do. Nobody is saying don’t have fun, but remember that there is someone who watches;

  • When you are sleeping
  • When you are alone with your girlfriend or boyfriend behind closed doors
  • When you are eating
  • When you are sleeping around
  • When you are in church, in school, at work, wherever
  • When you are with someone who is not your spouse
  • When you are stealing
  • When you are having fun at the expense of others

The wisest man who ever lived also said that “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labour – this is the gift of God” Eccl. 5:19 Solomon said to enjoy each and every day that God has given us. All the riches, the wealth, the family, the friends, the choicest things of this world, God says we should enjoy. In fact when you read the book of Ecclesiastes that’s what Solomon preaches. He says that there are so many things in this life that are vain or full of vanity, so each and every man should enjoy the fruit of his labour and his days as God gives him. But remember the same preacher who says we can do whatever says we should be careful in our merry making and enjoyment because there will be judgment of all things since under the sun is hidden from God.

Chill, have fun but be careful.