Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 1:2

“Meaningless! Meaningless! says the teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything in meaningless.”

I had a friend named Jamie when I was first married. He and his wife went to our small group. We were great friends. Come to find out, he dropped out of high school which was a shock because he was a really smart person. He was well read and always spoke with great wisdom. I wanted to find out more so I asked him why he dropped out of school. He told me that he was tested on a genius level when he was young. School came easy for him, everything seemed beneath him. This came to a head in high school when the work he was given was so easy that he became bored and strayed away from doing school. He veered away from being obedient and did some things he was not proud of. I was glad he found Jesus and he told me that Jesus was his foundation. He even introduced my wife and I to a very important person who has shaped our Christian lives in big ways, Joyce Meyer.

Solomon writes the book of Ecclesiastes in his later years. Solomon was no normal person. The Bible tells us in 1 Kings 4:29 that God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breath of understanding as measureless as the sand on the sea shore. In verses 32-34 it tells us that he spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, animals, birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations, people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. He was quite the attraction to say the least.

Having all this wisdom and understanding you would think that life would be great and it was for Solomon, until you read the book of Ecclesiastes. 1 Kings 11: 4 tells us “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.” The second verse of book starts with “meaningless” and repeats it four times. Solomon, in all his wisdom still strayed from the Lord.

Jamie always reminded me of Solomon and the book of Ecclesiastes. He was very sharp and full of the worlds wisdom yet he spun out of control. I can hear him say that life was meaningless. He was so smart that he could literally study anything and probably did dabble in all kinds of things trying to find what would capture his mind and challenge him. Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 says, “I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Solomon goes on to say that he subjected himself to madness and folly but learned that that too was chasing after the wind.

If I am describing your life right now I have good news. Jesus Christ came and died on a cross for your sins so you could be called sons and daughters of King Jesus. When He went to be with Father in heaven, he sent us his Spirit to live inside of us so we could always have that close connection to Him everywhere we go. The world will sell you on the mantra that all you need is a boyfriend or successful job or kids or any other worldly thing to be happy. In reality, the world promises you everything but delivers nothing.

The book of Ecclesiastes is gospel truth of this. Take it from Solomon it all is “chasing after the wind.” Today, get real with Jesus. Do you follow Him or not? Are you a “Sunday Christian” who checks the box of church but lives a totally different life during the week? Sooner or later you will come to the same conclusion that Solomon did, “it is all chasing after the wind.” True fulfillment comes when you fully commit to Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” It is time to quit chasing things that promise you everything yet return you nothing.

Prayer: Jesus, we fully commit to you today. Help us to give everything over to you while we are still struggling to understand things. Strengthen our faith today. Help us see with spiritual eyes and hear with spiritual ears all that you have for us. I pray that we cast aside all the world has to offer and lift up you and you only in Jesus name, amen.