Jeremy Myers
Have you ever taken the time to read Ecclesiastes?
It’s in the Old Testament right after Psalms and Proverbs. It isn’t exactly one of those books that we go running to for encouraging reading material. It does contain a few passages with which many of us would be familiar, though. Allow me to provide a few examples.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 reads, “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’” Not the most encouraging of introductions but certainly memorable. Most of us are familiar with Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, due in large part to the iconic song by the Byrds, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” which is inspired by this text.
A sampling of the text reads, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die … a time to weep and a time to laugh … a time for war and a time for peace.” The passage is up then it’s down and up then down again. It’s an emotional roller coaster. Ecclesiastes 4:9 and 12 reads, “Two are better than one because they have a good return on their labor … A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
I often compare reading the book of Ecclesiastes to reading someone’s journal or a diary. Ecclesiastes has a very contemplative vibe. King Solomon, the presumed author, was an incredibly wise man, but he was clearly very in touch with his feelings, as well.
I have always respected those who had the discipline and thoughtfulness to journal regularly. It really is a great way to keep a detailed record of your experiences and the thoughts and feelings gleaned from them. It allows you to process and preserve your memories in a manageable and accessible manner. That’s what I see when I read Ecclesiastes. I see the experiences and conclusions of a very wise, if not somewhat tortured, man.
As he writes, Solomon attempts to answer two questions that most of us have asked in one form or another: What is the meaning of life and how can we make the most of it?
Solomon clearly states his intentions in the second chapter of Ecclesiastes. It is his desire to understand what is “good for people to do under the heavens for the few days of their lives.” He goes on to note that he has literally done and seen it all in his attempt to find meaning and purpose in life. And if you read the brief summary of his life in the Bible, you realize he is one of the few people who wasn’t stretching the truth with that claim.
Throughout the rest of the book, Solomon explains why he has come to this conclusion. He provides a written record of his lifelong experiment, giving the supporting evidence for his conclusion. He notes that while some things provide some meaning, many others were completely hollow and empty.
Ultimately, he ends right where he began: A profitable life is achieved by living in right relationship with God in all we do (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). We can have all this world has to offer and still find it to be meaningless if we fail to pursue and live in right relationship with our creator, God, which consequently is only possible through faith in Jesus.
It appears that Solomon was right. It’s striking how we continue to seek a meaningful life in the same meaningless things Solomon pursued. Looking back over the thousands of years of history between then and now, we can see the truth of how things are always changing but somehow staying very much the same.
The sense of uncertainty, the frustration of dealing with a world that is largely out of our control, the desire to do something that has purpose with our limited lifespans … these are all infinitely relatable ideas and emotions. Just as true is where the story lands. The only way to live a joy-filled, purposeful and fulfilling life is by seeking, finding and living in right relationship with the Lord.
The Rev. Jeremy Myers is the lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Seymour. Read his blog at jeremysmyers.com. Send comments to [email protected].