Let's explore the word "meaningless" for a moment. The definitions I found are the following:
- having no meaning or direction or purpose
- not important
- lacking any significance
- lacking motive
Kind of depressing when we think about these words for our own lives, right?
In the context of Ecclesiastes, the author is teaching us that "Life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless" (from NIV Study Notes). Considering his emphasis in 1:2, he strongly believes this and we can assume his passion about this point is based on personal experience. The author is likely King Solomon. We know that King Solomon was greatly blessed in terms of worldly riches. He had EVERYTHING. However, all of these things did not satisfy his soul.
On Sunday mornings at Oak Hill, Pastor Chris has been teaching us about true joy through a sermon series on Philippians. Yesterday, the key passage was Philippians 3:3-9. In this passage, Paul teaches that all of his worldly gains, are actually a loss in comparison to knowing God personally... to having a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior.
"But whatever was to my profit
I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to
the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them rubbish,
that I may gain Christ and be found in him,
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,
but that which is found through faith in Christ,
the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
~Philippians 3:7-9
I think King Solomon and Paul could relate! In contrast to the meaningless of worldly gains and pursuits, true joy is found through salvation in Christ Jesus.
The more I studied these chapters of Ecclesiastes, the more I believe God wanted to speak to me through the "funk" I first felt when reading them. I now understand more of the drastic contrast between temporary gratification and eternal significance. I'm challenged to think of what I spend my time doing and what my motives are in doing so. Am I being selfish in how I spend my time? Are my decisions made in light of eternity or am I seeking temporary happiness? Am I searching for earthly things to satisfy me or am I allowing God to fill me with His life and joy?
Lord, keep us focused on You. Lead us daily to seek You and to make choices that glorify You and are for Your purposes. Help us to be satisfied in knowing You and claiming Your promises.
I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to
the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them rubbish,
that I may gain Christ and be found in him,
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,
but that which is found through faith in Christ,
the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
~Philippians 3:7-9
I think King Solomon and Paul could relate! In contrast to the meaningless of worldly gains and pursuits, true joy is found through salvation in Christ Jesus.
The more I studied these chapters of Ecclesiastes, the more I believe God wanted to speak to me through the "funk" I first felt when reading them. I now understand more of the drastic contrast between temporary gratification and eternal significance. I'm challenged to think of what I spend my time doing and what my motives are in doing so. Am I being selfish in how I spend my time? Are my decisions made in light of eternity or am I seeking temporary happiness? Am I searching for earthly things to satisfy me or am I allowing God to fill me with His life and joy?
Lord, keep us focused on You. Lead us daily to seek You and to make choices that glorify You and are for Your purposes. Help us to be satisfied in knowing You and claiming Your promises.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled."
~Matthew 5:6
for they will be filled."
~Matthew 5:6
