My One and Only Duty

Scripture:
Now all has been heard.
    Let us hear the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
    for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

Observation: This is the summary of this soliloquy of Ecclesiastes - all is in vain, all is wearisome, work is pointless, life is temporal, and the outcomes are meaningless, therefore the true purpose of everything is to honor and obey God.

If everything is meaningless, yet life does have one grand purpose - mankind has one encompassing duty - then this provides the final paradox ... our work, talk, and pastimes do have meaning. That meaning is found in God. The purpose of life is to do one things, and while all the ways and methods of doing that may be life vapor, the daily result is still valuable.

Application: In my pointless daily life, what am I doing to honor God? This is the assignment every day - not to lead a department, or fix technology, or correct behavior, or create direction, or make decisions - but to honor and obey God.

I can continue to do better. I can become intentional in how I do my job, the manner in which I behave, and the way I treat others.

Prayer: Lord, I seek your spirit this day so that I may have the qualities that will honor you through my deeds. I seek patience, love, kindness. I desire to honor only you. Amen.