Meaningless!
Posted by Drew Coffman | | Posted On Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Link to Yeasayer - Tightrope
This week I've been spending a lot of time in Ecclesiastes, realizing just how much relevant wisdom is in the book which I bypass every day. It is a universal truth that we search for fulfillment in everything that we do, trying to fill a need with our every action. The book deals with this, and the verdict which the author gives is harsh.
Ecclesiastes 1:2,13,14 -
"'Meaningless! Meaningless!' says the Teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'"
"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 the human race! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
There is no doubt that we often seek fulfillment in the wrong places, and that in these cases we are left feeling empty. There is something which we are always seeking, always craving - but we can never seem to look in the right place. This sentiment is echoed through all of humanity - and I found it today, in music. The song "Tightrope" [link at top of post] is sparse on lyrics yet incredibly heavy on emotion. I believe the lyrics really speak for most of the world with a few key verses -
"So I think I can solve all the problems by myself
Nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind
And you think you can solve all your problems by yourself
Nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind
Give it, give it, give it, give it - until you just can't give no more"
We are always striving to do work in our flesh. Correct our own problems. Heal our own wounds. Patch up our own damaged goods.
How long can we continue living that life? That meaningless life can never sustain us - like chasing after the wind.
Reading the the book of Ecclesiastes this week has certainly impressed on me the futility which composes the bulk of our lives. However this statement isn't sorrowful, but incredibly uplifting. Once we are no longer bound by this world the fears and failures no longer hold the same weight they once did. It is then that we can turn to God and find true fulfillment - He is the only thing which can fill our hearts and restore the wholeness which we so crave.
This week I've been spending a lot of time in Ecclesiastes, realizing just how much relevant wisdom is in the book which I bypass every day. It is a universal truth that we search for fulfillment in everything that we do, trying to fill a need with our every action. The book deals with this, and the verdict which the author gives is harsh.
Ecclesiastes 1:2,13,14 -
"'Meaningless! Meaningless!' says the Teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'"
"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 the human race! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
There is no doubt that we often seek fulfillment in the wrong places, and that in these cases we are left feeling empty. There is something which we are always seeking, always craving - but we can never seem to look in the right place. This sentiment is echoed through all of humanity - and I found it today, in music. The song "Tightrope" [link at top of post] is sparse on lyrics yet incredibly heavy on emotion. I believe the lyrics really speak for most of the world with a few key verses -
"So I think I can solve all the problems by myself
Nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind
And you think you can solve all your problems by yourself
Nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind, nevermind
Give it, give it, give it, give it - until you just can't give no more"
We are always striving to do work in our flesh. Correct our own problems. Heal our own wounds. Patch up our own damaged goods.
How long can we continue living that life? That meaningless life can never sustain us - like chasing after the wind.
Reading the the book of Ecclesiastes this week has certainly impressed on me the futility which composes the bulk of our lives. However this statement isn't sorrowful, but incredibly uplifting. Once we are no longer bound by this world the fears and failures no longer hold the same weight they once did. It is then that we can turn to God and find true fulfillment - He is the only thing which can fill our hearts and restore the wholeness which we so crave.
Proverbs is the positive vibe, while Ecclesiastes is the negative side.
Ecclesiastes reveals the warning that without God, nothing in life will have any meaning or significance.
So true, so very true.
Amen. We need to allow God to be God and stop trying to do His working for us. Yes He desires to use us but how much more effective it would be when we submit wholly and allow Him to take over. So Solomon and well you are absolutely correct. Everything we try to do in our flesh Is meaningless. Amen brother>
It is definitely impressionable to read these verses knowing who Solomon was- the King, the man with the plan, the richest guy with a million wives and even more concubines. By worldy view, he had it all. And yet, in his old age, he says that everything is meaningless. I pray that we all, at a young age, would be able to grasp that concept and not waste any more time.
Ecclesiastes is always the slap in the face whenever I read it.
ha ha.
That book is awesome. After reading it I'm always thinking why waste my time in things not honoring to God. It really is pointless.