WE’VE ALL LIVED IT
Ecclesiastes 1:12
Many Christians avoid Ecclesiastes because of its “pessimistic” perspective of life. If the book had been written by a beggar, a prisoner or a slave, its “depressing” content may be more legitimate. We would view the book as written by one whose suffering is different from ours, and thus feel detached from the intensity of its emotions. What is disturbing about the book, however, is that its author personifies everything that we hope to be, and strive for.
Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon, the wisest king who led Jerusalem to the height of her glory. Solomon had everything mankind has ever desired: wealth, fame, power, wisdom, women, recreational pleasure, and consistent success in all his projects. He has been asked what else he desired or lacked; Solomon would not have been able to think of a single answer.
The man who had everything wrote the book saying that life meant nothing. The irony is that we search for the things Solomon had – but after reading the reflections of one who has achieved them all, we are left to wonder: what, then, is our searching for? Do we dread the day when we have fulfilled our dreams, yet still feel empty? Or even now, do we already sense, at the back of our minds, that all our striving is in vain? Is Ecclesiastes about Solomon? Or is it about us?
Meditation:
Think about the driving passions in your life. What are the things you strive for? Why do you choose them? What do you hope to gain from them – happiness? Recognition? Peace?
Prayer:
Lord, give me the courage to be honest with myself. Reveal to me my secret motivations, ambitions, and obsessions. Show me the things I am hiding from and the things I really want to happen in my life.
