Michele on Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes. Words of wisdom, that aren’t always wisdom. Solomon writes Ecclesiastes as he is looking back on the life he has lived, and as he realizes that he has made many mistakes. He realizes that he has failed in many ways and wants others to know the wisdom he has learned so that they can live out the things that he failed to.
Solomon approaches life with a cynical attitude, claiming that life is worthless, it has no meaning, and it is empty. He goes on and on addressing different topics such as wisdom vs. folly, the poor vs. the rich, and the righteous vs. the wicked. He claims that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, because in the end everybody dies the same, and ends up in the same place. Because of this he also suggests that people should just do whatever makes them happy, and live their lives for their own enjoyment and pleasure since everyone ends up in the same place anyway. He goes on for twelve chapters, ending with a wise conclusion that he has discovered that totally contrasts some of his arguments. After he has gone on for twelve chapters he ends by saying that the true meaning of life, what gives purpose and what everyone should be doing is this: fearing God and keeping his commandments. He leaves it there, that is the end. He leaves the reader to think about the implications of this and ponder what this means for them.
As I was going through Ecclesiastes, it really hit me this idea Solomon kept bringing up that life is all about being happy and if you aren’t, then what is the point of even living. This seems to be the view of many people today, especially in America. The truth that goes against this is similar to what Job learned and what we can see through the life of Jesus. Sometimes it is God’s will for us to suffer, and that doesn’t mean that you have done wrong, or that you are on the wrong path. Jesus came to earth in order to suffer for the sins of the world. This was God’s will. It was a part of God’s plan and will also for Job to suffer. This goes against what I have thought to be true. I realize that life isn’t about my being happy. It isn’t about me finding pleasure or enjoyment. It’s not even about me. It is all about God. My meaning in life isn’t going to be found by my seeking out my own happiness. My meaning in life, my purpose, is to fear God and obey him. This hit me and challenged me to not go about my day doing things that I want to do that will make me happy. I want to do things because it is what God wants me doing. It also may not matter so much WHAT you do, as HOW you do it, and the motivation behind it. I realized that often my motivation was for my own happiness. I want my motivation instead to be, “God, you are God. I want to love you today and serve you with my actions and my heart. Its not about me. Its all about you.” God, make this true in my life. Starting today.
