With a freshly brewed cup of coffee by my side, I opened my Bible to the scheduled reading passage, Ecclesiastes chapters 1-4. I was feeling great! A new day! Excited to spend time in God's Word, but even the most enthusiastic heart can take a hit when repeatedly we read Solomon's description of life. He doesn't just tell us everything is meaningless once or twice, but I discovered there are 38 uses of the word "meaningless" within the twelve chapters. Even if one starts out in a great mood before reading the King's assessment, it doesn't take long before feeling overwhelmed by the repetition of such hopeless existence. Even a "Pollyanna" eventually succumbs to feelings of despair when such a phrase is uttered continually. Seriously, a real killjoy!
One of my favourite movies is "The Ultimate Gift". It traces the life of a young man named Jason Stevens. His grandfather dies, and much to the rest of the family's annoyance, Jason is pretty much the sole beneficiary of the estate. But his inheritance comes with a twist. His grandfather wisely didn't want to hand his grandson "life on a silver platter". The elderly man knew the importance of learning that wealth and privilege need to go hand and hand with hard work and perseverance. Multiple tests are presented where Jason learns the value of work, money, family, friendship and gratitude, among other things. A life once consumed with self and wealth begins to see and appreciate that all he previously possessed was so pointless. On our own we achieve nothing for all our hard work under the sun.
In truth, Solomon is spot on. With all his exhaustive research, drawing from experience and evidence in his own life, the King realizes that everything does amount to nothing, if everything we chase after on earth is all there is. We vainly try to find meaning and purpose in so many things. We invest time, money, effort and emotion into things that have no lasting significance. They are here today and gone tomorrow. In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us of the brevity of the things we see now. They are so fleeting. Our days themselves are vanishing and fading.
The wisest man in the world laments throughout the entire book he penned through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, however we must also take note of one other key phrase. Solomon's despair only extends to the uselessness and hopelessness of everything "under the sun". Every earthly perspective is pointless if viewed without an eternal understanding. A godless outlook is indeed meaningless.
I had it explained to me that "meaningless" doesn't equal having zero value, but without God in the equation, nothing satisfies. Solomon had pursued many various paths, each one leading to disappointment. Having sought wisdom, pleasure, immortality, control, success, accomplishments, he concluded that nothing lasts apart from God. It is the Lord alone who can transform any initiative and give it lasting impact.
It has statistically been noted that even when the population increases its standard of living, an individual's happiness does not increase. Instead of finding fulfillment, a desire for more arises. Still feeling discontent, the more we get, the more we want. It is a never-ending circle of desire and despair. The allure and achievement of bigger, better and more, in the end will not be the source of our identity and worth.
Solomon recognizes that it is only God who gives wisdom, knowledge and joy and that all pleasures are from His hand (2:24, 26). Maybe everything "under the sun" is meant to be meaningless on purpose so that we will recognize our need to look up and place our thoughts above the sun.
Father enliven our hearts to see that today and eternity is all we need.
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