If you ever think the Bible is from ancient days and really doesn't apply to modern society, read Ecclesiastes. Solomon was a king. He had thousands of women at his beck and call. He had gold and rubies, silver and rubies. There wasn't a cubic zirconium to be found in his house. He had vineyards and horses, a different house for every day of the week, and a garage full of gleaming chariots. It's like watching MTV, or Hollywood insider or just watching your neighbor..
So how does Solomon start his magnum opus?
"'Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless," he wrote.
Talk about a bad mental outlook. With all that he had, the man just wanted to stay in bed. He simply didn't want to face the rat race, wondering if life was worth the battle. He didn’t want to look the world in the eye is because he didn't think anything he did mattered.
"Vanity of Vanities", he says in the olde English.
So how does Solomon start his magnum opus?
"'Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless," he wrote.
Talk about a bad mental outlook. With all that he had, the man just wanted to stay in bed. He simply didn't want to face the rat race, wondering if life was worth the battle. He didn’t want to look the world in the eye is because he didn't think anything he did mattered.
"Vanity of Vanities", he says in the olde English.
He heard some of the same voices that speak to all of us. He looked for purpose in the world systems, in learning and in accomplishment. He looked for meaning in his vast empire. He looked for purpose in relationships and pleasure. What he was really looking for was a replacement for God.
It was Pascal who said this, "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, make known through Jesus."
Oh how we spend our existence, trying to fill the ache, the empty void. But nothing fits quite right.
Like Solomon, we're looking for God in all the wrong places. The radio shrill screams says, "We can't no satisfaction."
Oh how we spend our existence, trying to fill the ache, the empty void. But nothing fits quite right.
Like Solomon, we're looking for God in all the wrong places. The radio shrill screams says, "We can't no satisfaction."
I'm wondering, if I'm chasing the wind? Am I pursuing all the wrong things, and finding frustruation? What about you. What do you chase after, only to find it terribly unsatisfying in the end? I would love to hear your thoughts here.
"I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless – like chasing the wind!"
(First of Five posts. Tune in for the four more posts over the next few weeks about the ways we are trying to replace God)
I love Ecclesiastes, and have studied its timeless message and taken it to heart.
ReplyDeleteThe unhappiest I have ever been in my life was when I had the MOST STUFF---big house, sports car, high-paying job, corner office, etc.
When I finally got it thru my thick skull that Jesus is what I needed, then nothing else of a material nature mattered. Solomon was a great man, and his message to us is so powerful.
Hmm. My dad's approval still matters more to me than I think it should, at my age (53)...
ReplyDeleteI am so done with chasing after stuff. I'm in a big mucking out phase, just wanting to unload meaningless stuff.
ReplyDeleteI find myself wanting things like joy and peace, and wanting to know that my children are happy and healthy and safe. All of these are good things, but sometimes I want them more than I want God himself--the giver of these good things.
I really love Ecclesiastes, there's such brutal honesty in it. Right now I don't feel like I'm chasing the wind. It's a good feeling. But I must admit, sometimes I have stronger goals and the ability to stick with things in my computer game than my real life. That would be some wind that's good for awhile but not long-lasting. In the game things are laid out for you, you just take the steps. Need to work on laying things out for my career as well. I did sign up for a painting workshop in a few weeks. That always helps me get back into it. The workshop will help me longterm. Game= not so much. But it is a nice break now and then.
ReplyDelete....Great topic..im looking forward to this series..im very fortunate in a way because i've never had much 'stuff' in my life and possessions/possessing isn't important to me really..my 'looking and searching' throughout my life took the form more or less of a vodka bottle and pain pills which,i suppose,robbed me of any ambition to achieve or to attain much of anything,which i view now as a blessing in disguise spiritually speaking..i can live very simply and have no problem what so ever with it...
ReplyDeleteI often struggle finding balance in pursuit of godly goals. The goal itself may be a good thing, as is the passionate pursuit of the goal. But there is sometimes a fine line in expecting satisfaction or affirmation thru achieving the goal, rather than seeking affirmation in God alone.
ReplyDeleteI sense some of the same struggle in Solomn's words in Ecclessiasities.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
Solomon could be easily cured in these "modern days". A "Good Doctor" would prescribe him a bottle of Prozac in a 45 second office visit @ $175. then take the afternoon off, get in his new Mercedes and head off to play golf at his exclusive country club, while daydreaming of his coming trip to Costa Rica paid for by Big Pharmaceuticals.
ReplyDeleteSolomon just lived in the wrong times, material things, gold and riches, that is all that matters....just ask around among your 300+ million fellow citizens of America.....or see it all on your TV.
I love the line about wondering if you are chasing wind. Sometimes it so much feels that way doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteOur vacuums are hungry every day. Think I need to read truth like this every day. Always thankful for how you share a challenge here.
ReplyDeleteI've been a wind-chaser.
ReplyDeleteLook at that -- me writing that sentence up there like I don't chase anymore. But I do. I do.
Great post, David.