Perfect Conditions?

Have you ever said or thought, “When this [situation, circumstance, sequence of events] is over, then I’ll [fill in the blank]”?

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote from a vast store of experience and knowledge. He had experienced more things and lived harder than many of us ever will, in search of fulfillment in life. A fulfillment that he finally found in following God’s plan and purpose for him. In this particular passage, he’s comparing whatever we do to the farmer who sows seed, cultivates the plants, and brings in a harvest.

The harvest is something that benefits everyone—yielding life-giving fruit and grain for food. The picture here is of a farmer who continually puts off sowing the seed because of the possibility of unfavorable weather conditions. He’ll never bring in a harvest. He doesn’t fulfill his purpose in life.

The same is true of anyone who is waiting for perfect conditions to follow God’s plan—in essence to fulfill the purpose for which God called each of us. Because of sin, no perfect conditions exist. We must learn to work and accomplish God’s purpose in less-than-perfect conditions. “Do your own work…. Get on with your life” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 MSG).