Ive always said that Pentecostals ought to read the Book of Ecclesiastes a couple times per year—just to stay balanced in their perspective about life under the sun on this planet. Ecclesiastes is an eye-opener for anyone. It wades right in on the uncomfortable subjects of life. Thats why it begins with the declaration, All [of life] is vanity! Sounds depressing, huh? But if you realize the writer is trying to give you a heads-up about what to expect from your days, the warning is very, very helpful to keep you from getting depressed! Thats why at this Christmas season Im going to post thoughts about one verse from each chapter... Chapter 1:2—Vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Heres my translation: Dont let life fool you by raising unrealistic expectations. Trust me on this—because Ive checked out every path people think will lead to fulfillment—life is transitory and fundamentally unsatisfactory. No matter how you try to fill it up, life here on earth cannot fill you up like it promises... And my thoughts: The sun keeps rising; the wind keeps blowing; and, rivers keep flowing—without regard for any human. Nature and time are completely impersonal, and you cannot affect those cycles, or find meaning and purpose in them. Likewise, time passes and generations come and go. Just as you know nothing about anyone who lived generations before you, no one will know anything about you generations later. Historical figures are just figures, not people we know. If you try to make a huge imprint on life, and tie your lifes meaning to that accomplishment, you will fail (and be depressed). Grandiose plans and huge expectations never deliver, and almost always depress. Aim at doing little goods for the sake of others, and youll be happier.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:27:33 +0000
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