When kids throw fits, they clench their fists tight, unwilling to bend to anyone’s way but their own. The Bible speaks of clenched fists and specifically what we should hold in those fists. The wisest man to have ever lived said the following:
“I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:4-6).
At first glance this might seem like flowery ancient language that doesn’t really add up to much. However, when we look closer, we can understand the meaning. Nearly everyone has two hands from which to make two fists. The writer above scorns the idea of working as a result of rivalry. In other words, keeping up with the Jones’s will never be a satisfying goal. Such striving will leave us empty, a striving after wind. Yet the writer also speaks poorly of the fool, whose hands consume his own flesh! Never working at all or seeking to party non-stop does not seem like a worthy goal either.
So what is it? How do we work and enjoy life? Verse six gives us the answer we seek. We should have one fist full of work and one fist full of rest. In other words, here we see the very first advice about having a work life balance. Neither extreme or overworking or overindulging brings satisfaction. It’s good and healthy to work and to enjoy our jobs and to work hard at something. Yet it’s also very good to enjoy people and the finer things in life. It all comes down to what we live for. If we live for work or live for pleasures, we will end up striving after the wind, empty. If we live for God, we will find fulfillment.
While following the Lord and living for Him, we can enjoy our jobs and our everyday lives. As we should! If you were to throw a bona fide honest to goodness fists flailing tears flowing adult well composed fit today, what would it be about? Beyond our work, what other areas of your life feel out of balance? Where are you feeling tension? Do you want to trust God, but you don’t? Remember how God gave you two hands, two fists, two arms. When walking a tight rope, the walker holds out both arms in order to keep themselves balanced. Likewise we can walk through life holding multiple truths in balance. It’s OK to be upset and want something to be different. Yet it is not OK to just sit around wanting without being willing to do something about it. Likewise, it’s also OK to want to relax and enjoy life. But it’s not OK if that’s all we do and we never work. These principles can be applied to other areas of our lives as well.
