One of my favourite books in the Bible is
the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon. Although he was the richest
and wisest man to have lived, he could see no meaning in his wealth or wisdom.
He decided to try out different paths of life and find what was of real value
and purpose.
Looking into wisdom and knowledge, he found
that this only leads to more grief. Pleasure and happiness are good while they
last but what value do they have in the long run? Success, money and power can
be snatched away in a moment. We work hard to do good and to change things
around us but what truly makes a difference? In the end we will all end up in
the same way. What can we take with us when we die? What do we leave behind
that has any value to those who remain?
His questions are almost depressing and so
are many of his answers. Everything is completely meaningless he concludes.
Nothing in this life is certain, nothing of this world will ever fulfill you,
not a single person on this earth is always good.
Reading the newspaper on my commute home,
it seems there are constantly disasters happening in every corner of the world.
Somehow I have been spared from so much pain and injustice and it’s not because
of anything I have done. Good things happen to bad people and bad things to good
people. Some things we deserve and other things happen to us for no reason. It’s
easy to feel strong when all is going well but reality is that life is fragile
and can be snatched away without warning. After finding that every path leads
to a dead end, Solomon turns his focus to God.
“Accept the way God does things for who can
straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can but when
hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is
certain in this life.” Ecclesiastes 7:13-14.
Enjoy your life while you can he says, but
remember where it came from. Fear God and honour him with your life because
this is ultimately what matters. I love this book is because of its honesty and
bluntness. It leaves you with more questions than before but challenges you to
seek out the answers for yourself.
“If you find within yourself longings that
nothing in this world can satisfy, it can only mean you were made for another
world.” C. S. Lewis.
