When you begin reading Ecclesiastes, you are struck with the author's dark, depressive tone. Though a man given wisdom from above, like all of us, Solomon did not always yield to heavenly wisdom and made many mistakes. In Ecclesiastes, he writes from a reflective point of view as if he is looking back over his life and asking the questions "Why did I do that?" "Was that important?" "Where did my focus get off track?" Over and over again he repeats the words, "Everything is meaningless!" and "Chasing after the wind."
hen reading Ecclesiastes, It's tempting to close the book and open to a different section of the Bible. We are more comfortable with lighter, more uplifting texts of Scripture. Truth is, some of
God's richest nuggets of wisdom are not found in the good, uplifting reflections, but in those reflections of regrets and the "What was I thinking?" moments..
For years I would say to people, "When I come to the end of my life, I want to look back and have no regrets." It sounds good in theory, right? Be honest with me, down deep I'm sure you feel the same. However, I am beginning to understand that some of life's most important turning points come from those times that I question the thought process of the man I look at every morning in the mirror.
Let me point out one of many incredible reflections from the words of Ecclesiastes.
Solomon enjoyed the peace that followed years of battles fought by his father, David. Being a very driven man, Solomon built palaces, gardens, vineyards, a Temple for God and a great kingdom. His popularity grew as his wisdom became known to the nobles and peasants alike. yet Solomon didn't always take time to enjoy his blessings. Listen to his own words,
"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." (Eccl. 2: 10-11)
Do those words strike you as odd? Solomon had everything that the world says you need in order to be happy, but at the end of it all, he realized that possessions and pleasures did not necessarily equate contentment. Far too many of us look for happiness in the next purchase,the next promotion, the next relationship, the next, the next, the next. Solomon used a phrase to describe this, "chasing after the wind."
Now, don't misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with being driven. We should gave goals, dreams, and aspirations to do great things with our lives, but Solomon learned that you also need to give yourself permission to smile on the journey. If we don't stop periodically and enjoy where we are in life, life will pass us by and leave us only with regrets.
Toward the end of his book, Solomon would write, "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil" (a symbol of joy and blessing), (Eccl 9: 7-8).
Life Application:
What are your goals for today? What do you hope to accomplish? Do they build people up? Do they honor God? If so, go after them with all your heart. But remember this, as you go through this day, give yourself permission to smile in the process. God has given you this day. He loves you. He hears you when you pray. He holds you when you are sad or afraid. He supplies your needs. He promises to walk with you, to never leave you, nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Rest in His love, His guidance, His Sovereignty.
Go ahead, give yourself permission to smile. Get up early in the morning and watch the sun rise to welcome a new day. Eat your lunch at a park and feel the gentle breeze against your cheek. Take time to laugh with a friend, read a good book, spend some reflective moments alone each day with God, the Bible and good cup of coffee.
I know you're busy. I know you have a full-plate, but come on, God has given you this day. Smile. Think on your blessings. Try to count them if you dare. Life is a vapor, here and then gone, so give yourself permission to smile on the journey.
