For each day there are three meals, food to be cooked and dishes to be cleaned.

For every week there are clothes, dirty in the washer and clean out of the dryer.

For every room there is dust, a cloth to clean and a vacuum to run.

For each season there is outdoor work, trimming in the spring, mowing in the summer, raking in the fall, shoveling in the winter.

My words are definitely not as eloquent as Solomon’s in Ecclesiastes 3.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

There is a season for everything, even household chores, but sometimes I can get so frustrated with the routine of it all. It feels like what I am doing really has no point to it and keeps me from doing things for God. Do you ever feel that way? Doing the same things day after day, and those things don’t seem to make a difference at all. The regular things seem to have no particular purpose, and yet, they do, for there is a time and purpose for everything.

God has created our world to be one of order and controlled by time. He has a purpose for each thing, and all is in His time. Although we make choices, God sovereignly controls our world. Each task we do here on earth is to bring honor and glory to Him. Even the most routine chore can help others see God. Still, we can find such dissatisfaction in daily life. While we live in the routine of time, our hearts long for something more.

God intentionally created dissatisfaction in our lives to drive us to Him. He alone can satisfy the needs of our hearts. Understanding of life may or may not happen, but knowing God is in control, we can be secure in His timetable, His plan, and our future hope. We know this life is not all there is, so joy can flow regardless of our life situation. We have assurance in God who is over all, controlling the ins and outs of life, and using all the daily things to bring honor to Himself. Nothing is out of His control and in Him all our needs will be fulfilled.

Further Solomon says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

And that’s the thing. While our life here on earth is nothing like our future home in heaven, this life is beautiful. We have a job to do. Just because we may not understand God’s purpose or timing should not cause us to feel despondent or without purpose. We can live in joy doing everyday tasks because we have hope. Though restless, we can live in peace, knowing God has already prepared our place of rest.

How have you found yourself dissatisfied in life? Has the routine gotten you down? You were made to look for more. Live in joy with what is, looking forward to the hope that is coming.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

(Written by Saint Augustine in his Confessions)

In His Love,

Susan