We always have the internal conversation when we do something good as to why we are doing it. Maybe I should say that I have that conversation. I cannot delve through all the reasons why I do things and I certainly cannot delve through motives in my planning, what little planning I do. I have gotten to the point in my life that the dictum of Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.” If I am doing something for the glory of God or to help my neighbors I simply “do”. I leave it to God’s direction and will what happens.
This is a tough road to follow and Luther calls it the “royal road” or the “middle way”. He says,
For when senseless people hear this doctrine, that we shouldhave such a quiet and peaceful heart that we commit everything to God, they draw this inference: “If everything is in the hand of God, we shall not do any works.” In the same way others sin in the opposite direction by being excessively solicitous and wanting to measure and control everything in every way. But one should travel on the royal road. Let us work hard and do whatever we can in accordance with the Word of God; let us not, however, measure the work on the basis of our efforts, but commit every effort and plan and outcome to the wisdom of God. Therefore Solomon seems to me to be anticipating an objection here and addressing a salutary exhortation to those who are not traveling on the middle road but are either too negligent of their work or too concerned about it. He advises them to let themselves be governed by the Word of God and meanwhile to work diligently.
