I got a mosquito bite the other day, and it sparked a couple of thoughts. First, I found it strange that mosquito bites don’t cause immediate pain; it takes a few moments for the skin to welt and the itch to set in. I suppose this gives the mosquito time to fly away before it gets swatted. My second thought was about how long it’s been since I last experienced a mosquito bite. It felt like a strange blessing to live in a time and place where I can reside next to a river without worrying about mosquitoes. In fact, I honestly can’t remember the last time I had any bug bite at all. Yet, I know that bug bites have been a nuisance for humans throughout history. Oddly enough, I found myself thankful for this bite; it gave me perspective.
Perhaps it’s because we’ve been spending so much time in Ecclesiastes, but I have come to appreciate the nuisances in life. There are small, poignant lines throughout the book that bring clarity. Two verses that stick with me are:
Ecclesiastes 5:12 NLT: “People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.”
Whether we want to admit it or not, we enjoy the struggle. We were made for it. Labor and hard work bring us a type of satisfaction that we can’t find elsewhere. They make food taste better and rest feel sweeter. While riches may buy you decadent food, they do not provide true satisfaction. Find a struggle and embrace it; it might do you some good.
Another verse that offers wisdom comes a few passages later, as the Preacher points out:
Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 NLT: “Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.”
Like work and the mosquito bite, there is value in appreciating the sorrows of life. Recognizing this allows us to see the full picture and find contentment. The Preacher suggests that to discover the fullness of life, we must engage with the complete experience. We will all die, and he urges us to “take it to heart,” indicating that we cannot know joy without experiencing sadness. We can appreciate rest only if we’ve worked for it.
The sting of death, much like a bug bite, reminds us of the beauty that constantly surrounds us. It encourages us to savor life more deeply and to appreciate our blessings. This doesn’t mean we should seek out pain and sorrow, but rather that we should recognize them as a part of life. Once we acknowledge this, we can find satisfaction in our work and in our lives. Whether we like it or not, there will always be bug bites.