September 2
Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15
Ecclesiastes is a great book for our time. One of the main issues that it addresses is finding meaning in life. We will join Solomon as he tries to discover meaning and purpose. He begins the book by exploring everything on earth to see if discovery can be found there. In doing so he will look in the very same places that our culture looks and will learn without God life is "meaningless".
One of the places Solomon looks to for meaning is education. This is the equivalent of someone thinking that if only he can graduate from an Ivy League school then he will have a sense of purpose, meaning, and value in his life. He also looks to pleasure (i.e. sex, entertainment, alcohol, etc.) and accomplishments for meaning. It is not hard for us to see that our world is filled with people just like Solomon. We may think if only I can fill my life with happiness, if only I get a promotion, if only...then I will feel satisfied and have a sense of meaning. There will always be a sense of─if only─in our lives. It is easy to think that changed circumstances will lead to a changed sense of meaning in our lives. Yet Solomon was able to try every pursuit to the nth degree and still found them wanting.
In contrast look at the description of the meaningful life which Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 6. The meaningful life is one in which we are intentionally being a disciple who makes disciples. This may lead to a life filled with troubles, hardships, distress, beatings, imprisonment, etc., “yet possessing everything.” If we live for God, despite having what seems to the world like a life without education, pleasure, or happiness; we have all meaning.
Father God, thank you that you give me purpose. Thank you that I am your child and have value and dignity apart from what I accomplish. Help me to look to you for life and meaning, rather than the shallow things the world offers. Amen.
Question of the day: What pursuits (other than God) do you use to try to provide meaning in life?
Ecclesiastes is a great book for our time. One of the main issues that it addresses is finding meaning in life. We will join Solomon as he tries to discover meaning and purpose. He begins the book by exploring everything on earth to see if discovery can be found there. In doing so he will look in the very same places that our culture looks and will learn without God life is "meaningless".
One of the places Solomon looks to for meaning is education. This is the equivalent of someone thinking that if only he can graduate from an Ivy League school then he will have a sense of purpose, meaning, and value in his life. He also looks to pleasure (i.e. sex, entertainment, alcohol, etc.) and accomplishments for meaning. It is not hard for us to see that our world is filled with people just like Solomon. We may think if only I can fill my life with happiness, if only I get a promotion, if only...then I will feel satisfied and have a sense of meaning. There will always be a sense of─if only─in our lives. It is easy to think that changed circumstances will lead to a changed sense of meaning in our lives. Yet Solomon was able to try every pursuit to the nth degree and still found them wanting.
In contrast look at the description of the meaningful life which Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 6. The meaningful life is one in which we are intentionally being a disciple who makes disciples. This may lead to a life filled with troubles, hardships, distress, beatings, imprisonment, etc., “yet possessing everything.” If we live for God, despite having what seems to the world like a life without education, pleasure, or happiness; we have all meaning.
Father God, thank you that you give me purpose. Thank you that I am your child and have value and dignity apart from what I accomplish. Help me to look to you for life and meaning, rather than the shallow things the world offers. Amen.
Question of the day: What pursuits (other than God) do you use to try to provide meaning in life?
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