Does Your Life Have Meaning?
"This is the evil in all that is done under the sun:that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion." (Ecclesiastes 9:3-4)
Who is this, who speaks in our text? He sounds so cynical, and depressed. Our speaker is King Solomon, and the reason that he does sound depressed, is because of his great disappointment with life.
He tried everything under the sun, and nothing brought him lasting happiness and satisfaction. But there is truth in his words of his writing of Ecclesiastes.
I have sat down at Walmart ® many times, and watched people.
The question came to my mind: Do all these people have meaning for their lives? Are they truly happy, satisfied, fulfilled? Even though this is a dark thought, Solomon gives us the truth that is a reality today: "...the hearts of men are full of evil; madness in their hearts while they live, and after they go to the dead..."(v.3)
This evil has revealed itself in the immorality, and violence we have seen in our society today. And we ask the question: "Just where are we in our thinking these days?""What are our motives for our lives in this day, and time?" Is it a thrill to kill others, to take advantage of others?
To think more of ourselves, than we do others? Is love so absent in our society, that we exhibit anger, and hate, to such a high degree?
James says in his book: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have, you murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask." (James 4:1-2)
I see our world today as being as frustrated and disappointed as Solomon.
The motives of people today, are so selfish and corrupt, you wonder, just what is the meaning of their lives? And since the world cannot satisfy the wants and desires of this dark world, the path that is traveled is a path that leads to a dark death.
God gives us that precious gift to choose the path that leads to hope, instead of eternal ruin.We can choose the path that God has for us in His Son Jesus Christ. See the apostle Paul's words in Philippians 3:14.
We can choose to submit to our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ, and see how He can bring true, blessed meaning to our lives.
You will have freedom, peace, and purpose for you life, in Christ Jesus. Solomon makes a statement in the last of of our text today.
"...for a living dog, is better than a dead lion..." You don't have to be the greatest, and have the most in this world, to be the happiest and the most fulfilled. The world has shown this delusion over and over.
But to be poor to this world, and alive to God, is to find the greatest spiritual riches one can ever imagine. What is your choice today? GP
Photo: geralt/24762 images/Pixabay License/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com