LEARNING DAILY

 

Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Vanity of vanity,” says the Preacher; “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

 

There have been days when I just shook my head and wondered what life was about. I have considered the importance I have placed on stuff, the importance of trying to achieve ______ (you fill in the blank), and of winning and losing. Why have these things driven me like they did? Why did I place them ahead of other things that really mattered? Perhaps you have wondered about things in your life.

 

Solomon is thought to be the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. There are references throughout the writing to being king, being wealthy, being wise, and being able to pursue whatever he wanted. These references point to the Solomon being the book’s author. The verse above has been acknowledged as the theme of the writing as it certainly is seen throughout it. Solomon had everything that most people dream about. You know how people chase after the big lottery money or the Publisher’s Clearing House suggestion that you could win $5,000 a week for life. At some time, Solomon began a journey to find out the meaning in having all the wealth, possessions, wisdom, accomplishments, and just being smarter than everyone else. He concluded that life has meaning only when God was at the center of everything. I am reminded of Paul and all of his accomplishments, the certificates of accomplishment he had achieved, his position in life and all the trophies he had collected (read Philippians 3:1-11) in his life and “he counted it all loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ”.

 

Solomon found that life is meaningless and pointless without God; he found that the answers the world system offers do not bring happiness or meaning. Winning the lottery does not bring the happiness and contentment people dream about. Achieving position and success in the workplace brings scrutiny from people everywhere. There are always critics and those who believe they can do a better job than you in your position of authority. Do all the possessions and stuff you have, your position and even your wisdom and the pursuit of these things give you true meaning to life?

 

In a previous page of the blog, I mentioned that God has placed eternity in our hearts, meaning God created you and me to be spiritual beings. If we are not walking on the narrow way to God’s kingdom, serving Him, and doing everything to be obedient to Him, we will always be trying to find purpose in substitute stuff and activities. The world will try to tell us that we are defined by what we have, our position in life, our career, and whether or not we are a star in the activities we choose to participate in. If that is what we believe, then all will be vanity and life will be meaningless.

 

I am learning that life is certainly like a blink of an eye, especially when compared to eternity. God created life to have meaning and for each of us to accomplish His purposes. We are to follow Jesus’ instruction to lay up treasure in heaven, not to build up treasures here on earth (Matthew 6:19-20). The vanity Solomon writes about is trying to find happiness apart from God. God gives us these things to enjoy and use for His purposes and His glory and honor. Solomon found that when God is excluded from one’s life wisdom, achievements, stuff, and skills are ultimately pointless and fruitless. The encouraging thought from this is when you and I place God at the very center of all He has given to us, when what He has given us is used to glorify Him, life is meaningful and exciting. I believe Solomon is telling you and me to not waste the precious gifts He has given us as we realize all we choose to do is for Him and eternity.