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REFLECTION

Simple pleasure is the theme for our reflection. Pleasure is a feeling of happiness, satisfaction and enjoyment. Simple pleasures are less costly experiences in our daily or everyday setting that brings us happiness and satisfaction. King Solomon observed life and concluded that life is vanity because all that we work for shall one day become someone else’s property. Again life is vanity because we die with our knowledge, wisdom and skill. What then is our the reward for our hard work and nights of restlessness. God has given us the gift of simple pleasures even as we work. King Solomon described simple pleasures when he said that “What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labour under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:22-25). In other words, simple pleasures are eating and drinking from the fruits of one’s own toil.

Food and drinks are gifts from God to mankind. Indeed simple pleasures are the reward for hard work. It is for this reason, Paul told the Thessalonian Christians that “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It is rather sad that many people, especially in the industrialized and urban areas are often unwilling to indulge in simple pleasures because of work and endless busy schedules. Many work and are busy throughout the day and hardly have time to seat comfortably to eat and drink. Indeed people eat and drink even as they work. Simple pleasures may also extend to taking time off our busy schedules to visit tourist sites with family and friends to have picnics (eating and drinking) and experience or interact with nature. Many people have worked many years without leave or taking a reasonable break to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Our Lord Jesus indulged in simple pleasures of relaxing, eating and drinking with friends and people who invite Him and His disciples into their home. (John 2:1-10, Luke 19:1-10). Simple pleasures are ways of releasing stress and refreshing ourselves for work. Simple pleasures allow the body to rest and revitalise or re-energise for greater works. Enjoying the simple pleasures of life in moderation is not a sin, it is a gift from God that must be enjoyed with family and friends as a testimony of God’s blessings and faithfulness. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). In others words, let us be content with simple pleasures but not in sinful and wild pleasures as found in Romans 13:13-14, “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Develop the habit of making time to rest, eating balanced diets, drink good water and healthy beverages to keep your body healthy for the purposes of serving God and earning good money through work and business. This is the will of God for your life. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, grant us a discerning mind and heart to appreciate your gift of simple pleasures in our daily struggles.