Embracing Life: Invest, Obey, and Rejoice in Faith

Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 11, where Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live, urges us not to miss out on life. The call is to invest often, work hard, and enjoy the sun—three simple but profound instructions for living a life that glorifies God. Solomon’s words remind us that everything we have—our time, talents, resources, and relationships—are not ours to hoard, but gifts to be invested for God’s glory and the good of others. We are not called to play it safe, but to take risks in faith, trusting that God is sovereign over the outcomes.

The passage challenges us to resist the paralysis of fear and the temptation to wait for perfect circumstances before acting. Life is unpredictable; clouds will rain, trees will fall, and we cannot control the wind or the future. Our responsibility is not to control outcomes, but to be obedient in the present, sowing seeds of faithfulness and trusting God with the results. This applies to every area of life—our families, our work, our service, and our spiritual growth.

Solomon also calls us to rejoice in the days we are given, to embrace the adventure of following Christ. The Christian life is not meant to be mundane or joyless; it is an adventure of faith, filled with both light and darkness, joy and sorrow. We are to enjoy the blessings God gives, but always within the guardrails of His Word, knowing that both enjoyment and judgment are realities we must hold in tension.

Personal stories and testimonies remind us that God uses every part of our journey, even our failures and darkest moments, for His glory. We are uniquely made, and our pasts—no matter how broken—can become platforms for ministry and hope. The call is to live authentically, to invest in others, and to be conduits of God’s grace.

Ultimately, the challenge is to examine what we are investing in, what we are trying to control, and whether we are truly living. We are invited to step out in faith, to stop waiting for perfect conditions, and to experience the vibrant, adventurous life God intends for us—a life that points others to Jesus and brings glory to our King.

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Key Takeaways

- Investing in Eternal Things Requires Risk and Faith
We are called to cast our bread upon the waters, to invest our time, talents, and resources not for our own comfort, but for God’s glory and the good of others. True stewardship is not about hoarding blessings, but about being a conduit through which God’s gifts flow to others. Faith always involves risk, and without risk, faith is unnecessary. The challenge is to let go of what we think we deserve and trust God with the outcomes, even when it means sending out what is most precious to us. [39:34]

- Obedience Cannot Wait for Perfect Circumstances
Life will never present the perfect moment to act in faith or to serve God. If we wait for all conditions to align, we will remain paralyzed by analysis and fear. God calls us to sow seeds of obedience now, trusting that He is at work in ways we cannot see, and that our small acts of faithfulness can have ripple effects far beyond our understanding. [42:59]

- Joy and Judgment Are Meant to Coexist in the Christian Life
We are invited to rejoice in the days God gives us, to embrace the adventure and joy of following Christ. Yet, this enjoyment is always held in tension with the reality of God’s judgment—too much indulgence in the flesh leads to consequences, but too much focus on judgment robs us of joy. The guardrails of Scripture keep us on the path where true joy and holy living meet. [49:47]

- God Redeems Our Brokenness for His Glory
Our past failures, weaknesses, and even the darkest moments of our lives are not wasted. God uniquely shapes each of us, and He can use our stories—no matter how broken—to bring hope and light to others. The very places of our greatest shame can become platforms for ministry when surrendered to Christ. [53:23]

- Authentic Community and Vulnerability Are Essential for Growth
We are not meant to live the Christian life alone or behind masks. True adventure and growth happen when we invest in others, share our struggles, and allow ourselves to be loved and supported by the body of Christ. If you are in a dark place, take the risk to be known; if you are in a season of blessing, look for ways to pour into those around you. [54:43]

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Prayer
[03:00] - Introduction and Context of Ecclesiastes
[07:30] - The Challenge of Preaching Ecclesiastes
[10:20] - Recap: Wisdom from Solomon
[13:00] - “Don’t Miss Life”: The Three Points
[15:00] - Invest Often: Casting Your Bread
[20:30] - Stewardship vs. Hoarding
[25:00] - Risk, Faith, and the Parable of the Talents
[29:00] - Personal Story: Letting Go of Control
[32:30] - Work Hard: The Time is Now
[39:34] - Investing Your Gifts and Abilities
[42:59] - Obedience in Imperfect Circumstances
[46:54] - Enjoy the Sun: Embracing Joy and Adventure
[49:47] - The Tension of Enjoyment and Judgment
[52:17] - God’s Purpose in Our Brokenness
[54:43] - The Power of Community and Vulnerability
[56:12] - Questions for Self-Examination
[57:22] - Are You Really Living?
[58:01] - Closing and Invitation
[59:03] - Final Prayer and Lord’s Supper Instructions

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Don’t Miss Life” (Ecclesiastes 11)

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### Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 11:1-10
(Cast your bread upon the waters, invest, work hard, enjoy the sun, and remember both joy and judgment.)

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Ecclesiastes 11:1-2, what does Solomon mean by “casting your bread upon the waters” and “dividing your portion to seven, or even to eight”? What is he encouraging us to do with what we have?
2. In verses 3-6, what are some of the unpredictable things Solomon mentions about life? How does he use these examples to talk about our actions and decisions?
3. What does Solomon say about rejoicing and remembering the days of darkness in verses 7-8? How does he balance the ideas of joy and the reality of hard times?
4. The sermon mentioned that “the one who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap.” What does this mean in practical terms? [43:00]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Solomon urge us to invest and take risks with our time, talents, and resources, instead of hoarding them for ourselves? What does this reveal about God’s character and our role as stewards? [20:30]
2. The sermon talked about “paralysis by analysis” and waiting for perfect conditions before acting. Why is it dangerous to wait for everything to be just right before obeying God? [42:59]
3. How can joy and judgment exist together in the Christian life? What does it look like to enjoy God’s blessings while also living within the “guardrails” of His Word? [49:47]
4. The pastor shared a story about God using his past failures for ministry. How does God redeem our brokenness for His glory, and why is it important to be authentic about our struggles? [53:23]

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### Application Questions

1. What is something in your life right now that you tend to “hoard” or hold onto tightly, instead of investing it for God’s glory or the good of others? What would it look like to “cast your bread upon the waters” in that area? [20:30]
2. Are there any areas where you are waiting for the “perfect” time or circumstances before stepping out in faith or serving God? What is one step of obedience you could take this week, even if things aren’t perfect? [42:59]
3. Think about a blessing or talent God has given you. How could you use it to serve someone else in the church or your community this month? [39:34]
4. The sermon challenged us to enjoy the adventure of following Christ, not just endure life. What is one way you can intentionally embrace joy and gratitude in your daily routine, even if you’re facing hard times? [49:47]
5. Is there a part of your story or past that you feel ashamed of or want to hide? How might God use that very thing to encourage or help someone else if you were willing to share it? [53:23]
6. The pastor said, “If you are in a dark place, take the risk to be known.” Is there something you need to share with your small group or a trusted friend so you don’t have to walk alone? What’s holding you back? [54:43]
7. When you examine your life, what are you truly investing in? What changes could you make to invest more in eternal things rather than just your own comfort or security? [56:12]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you invest your life for His glory, to give you courage to act in faith even when it’s risky, and to help you find joy in both the sunshine and the storms. Pray for authentic community and for God to use your story—failures and all—for His purposes.

Devotional

Day 1: Invest Often—Be a Conduit of God’s Blessings
God calls each of us to invest what He has given us—our time, talents, resources, and relationships—not to hoard them for ourselves, but to let them flow through us to bless others. When we see ourselves as conduits rather than owners, we become willing to risk, to give, and to trust God with the outcome, knowing that our investments in others are ultimately for His glory. This means letting go of the need to control every blessing and instead asking, “How can I use what I have to glorify God and serve those around me?” The adventure of faith is found in giving, not grasping, and in trusting that God will use our offerings in ways we may never see. [39:34]

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (ESV)
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.

Reflection: What is one specific blessing—whether a talent, possession, or relationship—that you can intentionally invest in someone else’s life this week, trusting God with the outcome?


Day 2: Work Hard—Obedience Over Perfection
We often wait for the “perfect” moment to act, serve, or obey God, but Scripture reminds us that circumstances will never be just right. Instead, we are called to work diligently and faithfully with what we have, right now, trusting God with the results. Don’t let fear, over-analysis, or the desire for control paralyze you; sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening. God is at work in ways we cannot see, and our responsibility is to be obedient in the present, not to wait for ideal conditions. [42:59]

Ecclesiastes 11:3-6 (ESV)
If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Reflection: What is one act of obedience or service you have been putting off, waiting for the “right time”? How can you take a step of faith and do it today?


Day 3: Enjoy the Sun—Live Joyfully Within God’s Guardrails
God desires that we enjoy the life He has given us, rejoicing in every season and embracing the adventure of following Him. True joy is found not in reckless living, but in delighting in God’s gifts within the boundaries of His Word and grace. Even as we remember that difficult days will come, we are called to savor the good, to let our hearts be glad, and to live vibrantly for Christ. The Christian life is not meant to be dull or routine, but full of purpose, gratitude, and holy enjoyment. [48:35]

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 (ESV)
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally enjoy God’s good gifts today, celebrating His blessings while staying within the guardrails of His Word?


Day 4: Trust God with What You Cannot Control
We are not the authors of our own stories, and much of life is beyond our control. Instead of being paralyzed by the desire to manage every outcome, we are invited to surrender our need for control to God, trusting that He is sovereign and good. This surrender frees us to live with open hands, to let go of anxiety, and to rest in the assurance that God is working in ways we cannot see or understand. [44:06]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to let go of control? How can you prayerfully surrender this to God today?


Day 5: Be Present—Love Others and Live Authentically
God has placed you exactly where you are, with your unique story, gifts, and even your struggles, to be a blessing to others. Living authentically means taking off the mask, being present with those around you, and allowing God to use your life—even your brokenness—for His glory. The adventure of faith is found in community, in loving others deeply, and in letting God’s love flow through you to those who need it most. [54:43]

Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Reflection: Who is one person in your church or community you can reach out to this week—either to offer support or to honestly share your own need—so that you both experience the adventure of authentic Christian love?

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