Ecclesiastes 2.
Here's a guy that had it all and still wasn't happy or satisfied. We are talking about the so-called "Solomon Sin-drome", where one makes it to the top, but is lost with nowhere to go. He denied himself no pleasure whatsoever. He tried everything. He attained anything his heart desired. That sounds like trouble to me! I'm sure you've heard it before, as I, where people say, "as soon as I..." or "if I could just get...". The problem is that whenever one arrives at this utopian destination, it never is as they thought it would be. Disillusion, disappointment, resentment, shock, depression, anger, etc., all follow.
The short and sweet version of this summary is that this world ain't it. It just can't be. This third rock from the sun is passing away and is a very temporary home to all of us. Investing in it or subscribing to its values is a wasteful and meaningless endeavor. It truly is a matter of vision and perspective. Recognizing that the world cannot produce lasting satisfaction, the disciple of Christ is called to invest in the eternal, having life abundantly in this life and the next. They don't agree with what the world portrays as success or valuable. They let that stuff go and walk a different path. Their vision includes a spiritual awakening that allows proper perspective on the world, existence, purpose, and circumstances. They indeed march to the beat of a different Drum. And this creates an inherent loneliness, if you will. Firstly, following Christ and walking as He did is not popular in the world today. Disciples are definitely in the minority. Secondly, their motivations, agendas, goals, ideas, responses, habits, desires, and priorities are extremely different from the world's. If they're not, it might be time for a check in and check up! This creates an automatic awkwardness as we live in this place. Thirdly, you feel like an alien, mutant. In fact, the world's business grieves you. I believe there are some things, people, and experiences we can find joy and satisfaction while in this place, but we have to realize they are truly temporary and fleeting. They are but glimpses of the eternal. And you know they come from the Creator Himself, because they are truly good.
Jesus is more than enough for us. He is the only true source of lasting satisfaction and joy. Are those just fluffy, puffed up words of rhetoric that are beyond grasping? Why is this such a difficult truth to embrace and believe? It's because we are weak, fleshly humans. Thankfully, God knows this fact! He died because of it so we could spend eternity in heaven with Him! We are sinful creatures that have selfish desires. We are therefore gullible to the world's ways-hook, line, and sinker. The world and its desires has been ensnaring us from the very beginning. We need to get tough about this. We need to be strong in grace, realizing we are going to continue to sin, but need to participate in forgiveness-giving and receiving. We need to be real about our human condition and the effects of the world's influence. May we remember the encouraging note from the introduction: when we are truly wanting to live for God's glory and not ours, the Holy Spirit is finally free to have His way to influence and act in our lives. That's when we start to see God bring lasting fruit that is worthwhile!
I'm working on the issue mentioned in 2:23. It's been a struggle, sleeping at night, as so many thoughts trouble my mind. Please pray I overcome and have success in this. Also, check out a life characterized by 2:26: God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those that please Him. And how do we please Him? "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Heb. 11:6) That's this year's theme, friends. Faith. In God. Not in the world. Not in ourselves.
So, the life we are living right now-this summer- is it characterized by faith in God or...? Know that He wants to bless us with wisdom, knowledge, and happiness. Put your faith where your fear is. Embrace a new vision and perspective about life and the world. Building a kingdom and investing in this world is a heavy burden to carry. Take up Jesus' burden. He said it was easy and light, comparatively. Walk that way in faith.
