There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens... I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and to do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God... God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,12-13,11)

There is profound value in embracing the present moment. There is a tendency to miss the beauty of the present because we're fixated on yesterday's regrets or tomorrow's worries.

Ecclesiastes 3 begins with the famous passage about time—a poetic reminder that life unfolds in God-ordained seasons. But as the passage continues, it reveals something remarkable about these seasons: they are meant to be fully experienced, not merely endured or rushed through. Verses 12-13 state this clearly: "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and to do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God."

Notice the profound simplicity of what's described as "the gift of God." Not extraordinary achievements or dramatic spiritual experiences, but the everyday joy of eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in our work. These seemingly mundane aspects of life are elevated to sacred status—they are divine gifts to be received with gratitude.

Why do we struggle to embrace this gift? Perhaps because God "has set eternity in the human heart." We are temporal beings with eternal longings. This tension creates in us a restlessness that can blind us to the sacred nature of ordinary moments. We're always reaching for something more, something beyond—which isn't entirely wrong (our hearts are made for eternity with God), but it can rob us of the joy God intends for us now.

Jesus Himself modeled this present-moment awareness. Though carrying the weight of His divine mission, He took time to notice children, to enjoy meals with friends, to appreciate the beauty of lilies in the field. He knew the value of each God-given moment. When He taught His disciples to pray "Give us today our daily bread," He was inviting them into this same present-focused relationship with the Father—one of daily dependence and gratitude.

Our work can be a source of God-given satisfaction when approached with the right perspective. Joy can be found even in ordinary tasks when we recognize them as part of God's purpose for our lives right now.

By Jim Connell

Jim is the founder of Lexington Rescue Mission, and authors JesusIsLordBlog.com, FaithAnswersPress.net, and FAQs of Faith (a mobile app)