(Today's blog is written by Andrea Kukura, and deals with the "meaninglessness of life" and the desire for something more. Other followers of this blog can submit a blog entry to be published here by sending it to cherylgnagey@gmail.com)
I have read through the Bible many times. I have always thought that the book of Ecclesiastes was kind of depressing. Everything is described as either “meaningless” or “a chasing after the wind”. But this time as I was reading, I was determined to get something more out of it.
It was written by David’s son, Solomon. When he was young and had just become king of Israel, he asked God to give him a wise and discerning heart so that he could govern Israel properly. God was so pleased with his request that he was given those plus riches, honor, and a long life. Other kings came to him seeking knowledge. He had EVERYTHING and yet he said that it was all meaningless.
Now here was the wisest man who had ever walked the earth saying that everything is meaningless. So I thought, if it is all meaningless, why do we stress so much? We measure our worth by how successful we are at work and how many friends we have. We worry about paying our bills, advancement on the job, money in our bank accounts, and what we do or do not own, especially in comparison to others. We strive daily for material possessions, riches, and honor. We never have enough … and it’s all meaningless.
It’s depressing to think that everything that we work so hard for in this life is called meaningless by the wisest man in history. Then I realized that they are all temporal things. The “more” that I was looking for is found in chapter 5 which says “to stand in awe of God” (vs. 7). If he gives you wealth, possessions, and happiness in your work, it is a gift of God (vs19). In 2:26, he says that God also gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those who please him. So how do we please him? Ch12:13 says “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Everything else is considered “a chasing after the wind”.
To fear God means to have a profound reverence and awe toward God. When you have reverence or revere something, it means to adore, highly respect; to worship. To “keep his commandments” means simply to do what he has told us to do. That includes Matt 6:33 which says, “But seek first his kingdom and righteousness …”There’s the key!
I think that we get it all backwards. We put all of our effort into our physical lives: our careers, our plans, our desires and then give God our leftover time, money, and effort. If we put him first, then he will be faithful to take care of us. So what are we waiting for? What am I waiting for?
What’s really important in this life? Well, nothing that is tangible, that’s for certain! Our relationship with Jesus is first, then our relationships with others. We need to aim our sights higher. Our focus needs to not be on this world but beyond. If all of our efforts are on this life here, how will we ever be prepared for eternity with God? Solomon called our life on earth “a few days” and “a shadow”. I’ve placed a lot of effort into my “few days” when I should be investing in my eternal life with Him. I’m ready to make that investment my main focus. Are you?
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