Special Note: As with last week’s emphasis on Ephesians, this week (and maybe some of next) will focus on Ecclesiastes, my favorite book of the Bible. In particular, I’ll focus on the purpose and meaning of life as discussed by this book. For an overview, see my sermon, Live Life in Light of Death. I encourage you to read one chapter of the book daily to go along with these devotions.

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 5

3 For dreams come with many cares, and a fool’s voice with many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:3

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” 

I’m sure you, like me, have heard this misquotation of Henry David Thoreau many times. It speaks to dreams the way we might often think of them: ways to envision our future, a set of goals, a preferred reality. When we celebrate graduations, our own or otherwise, we speak to dreams fueled by education and the hopes it engenders. 

So what do we make of The Teacher’s comment here? He actually repeats it twice, saying something similar in verse 7. Here, he seems to say dreams are havel. In verse seven, he actually says they’re havel. I’m a dreamer myself, so what am I to make of this? 

As with verses across scripture, the greater context matters. This chapter speaks to contentment; enjoying what we have and letting it be enough. I can relate. Often times, I have dreamed of having a convertible and, at times, have owned a convertible. When I have dreamed of owning a convertible, I have thought how happy I would be, the great times we’d have as a family. It made me discontented with what I already had. 

There are two kinds of dreams operating here. The first, from the misquote of Thoreau, speaks to the dreams of a life we will build, the things that fuel our goals and choices. The second are dreams from discontentment, longing for something we don’t have; the dreams of envy and jealousy. These, indeed, come with many cares, and are havel. 

Think
What are you dreaming of? Where do your daydreams take you? 

Pray
Give to God places of discontentment that come up from your dreams. 

Do
One of the best ways to find contentment is through gratitude. Find a way to show gratitude today for what you have.

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.