*I know it's a real word about churchy things, but I am talking about the actual book of Ecclesiastes.
Solomon (the author) was observant - probably an introvert - and he asked thoughtful and difficult questions. His disappointment as he focused on the repetitive, broken nature of the world around him rings true. His own life experience taught him that vast riches, wisdom, knowledge, marriage, sex, beauty, power, etc. were not enough to truly satisfy his heart and keep him happy. He was the wisest man who ever lived, and he knew that in the end, so much of what happens here on earth is "meaningless" and empty. He knew his vast kingdom and power and riches would all be passed to someone who didn't work for them and might not respect and uphold them. He knew that many of his wise words would be forgotten, and that he would eventually die just like everyone else - no amount of money or power could save him from that. He was lamenting the fact that so many things were completely outside his control, and even the things he could control began to feel futile and pointless. And I understand that - I've been more aware of those feelings in my own heart lately.
Ecclesiastes is a difficult book for me because of the darker, melancholy tone. I've always found it a bit depressing. But there are great reminders in it, too...
"The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?" ~Ecclesiastes 6:11
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart." ~Ecclesiastes 7:2
The living should take this to heart...
With all that happened with Grandad, I have thought about death more than usual this year. Not in a self-destructive way, but in the sense of being hyper-aware that someday, I will die and all the people I love will die. And we don't have an ounce of control over how it all happens, so any time we've spent worrying about that has been wasted. I could choose to live the safest and most comfortable, cushy life possible, but still die a painful death. There are a million possible scenarios, and God alone knows how that will all play out. But He is teaching me it's pointless to play it safe and let fear or worry paralyze me. And I need that message to sink in and give me courage!
In our Discipleship class this week, we talked about how we live in a broken world where we see repetitive cycles of darkness, emptiness, confusion, and pride. Hurting people everywhere are trying different things to escape all of this brokenness, but these escape routes (addictions, sex, religion, social media, etc.) are like bungee cords that can only stretch so far and then they snap people back into the broken mess.
And then there's Jesus. He is able and willing to rescue us in a way that none of those other things can!
Our days here on earth are numbered, and our time of death is outside our control. A lot of what happens here IS meaningless, vain, and futile -- there's no getting around that for anyone who's not numbing out to avoid reality. And that means pursuing God and the things that matter in HIS KINGDOM (faith, hope, and love - loving others enough to bring them closer to Christ) is the only way to give true purpose and lasting meaning to our lives. "Three things will last forever... and the greatest of these is love."
Solomon says over and over that "everything under the sun is meaningless," and I feel that. There is a lot of wasted time and energy spent on things that don't really matter in the end. We need to set our minds on building and investing in things above the sun -- in God's eternal Kingdom, and in the people He loves and wants to join Him there!! ❤
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