Finding my real purpose
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
The book begins by introducing the speaker/writer of Ecclesiastes, The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem (Verse 1). We are told that the speaker is ‘king in Jerusalem’ furthermore, that this king is ‘the son of David’; Solomon.
“Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Verse 2)That’s quite an attention-grabbing line. Solomon used that word "vanity” 38 times in Ecclesiastes. The word means "meaninglessness, emptiness, futility, that which vanishes quickly and leaves nothing behind." King Solomon began his reign with wisdom, power and glory, but ended it with folly. Late in life, he looked back on his folly with regret, pointing us to a better, simpler life lived in light of God’s direction (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). What is life after all; a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes (James4:13). A great man of God said, “There is no greater discovery than seeing God as the author of your destiny”
What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun? (Verse 3)
What’s the point of loading all your sense of self-worth, achievement, identity and meaning on what you accomplish in the world of work? Often, church, quiet-time with God and family are sacrificed on this altar called “work”. Yet one is always discontented. Do you recall that sense of frustration at work has quite early roots in the Bible? After Adam and Eve sin, God tells Adam that he will find his daily toil frustrating. Because Adam chose to exclude God from his life. What are our personal ambitions that come before kingdom purposes?
However, when we make God the focus of our lives, our attitude to work changes. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils –if he leaves out God and eternity out of the picture? It is essential for the Christian to learn how the Lord would have you work, and fulfill your responsibilities there. Be careful not to restrict your Christian testimony to just church and home. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Mark 8:36
Generations come and generations go… The sun rises and the sun sets… The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearingthere is nothing new under the sun …nor will there be any of things that are to come (Verse 4-11)
Solomon says all things change, and never rest; the sun, the wind, or the current of the river. Life is monotonous and the search for satisfaction is constantly frustrating if there is no purpose in it. And, we can never find purpose in this circle of life without experiencing God. 1 Timothy 6:6 reads, ‘godliness with contentment is great gain’, the presence of Jesus Christ in our life adds great meaning and gain to “everything under the sun”. Live with eternity on your mind!
“You were made by God and for God and
until you understand that, life will never make sense.”
― Rick Warren
Comments
Post a Comment