Ecclesiastes 1:9
“What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.”
I was led by the Holy Spirit in my Scripture reading today. To my surprise it hit home and resonated with me more than I ever thought any Bible reading could! God took my life experiences and showed them to me in Scripture!
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes almost exactly what has been on my heart lately: that everything done on the Earth is vanity and futile. Nothing is done that hasn't already been done. We toil daily with the same tasks we did yesterday, the day before; that generations before us have done - over and over and over again and that generations after us will also continue to do.
I hope this hits you right in the face too - so you can't miss it. Sure, it could cause us to feel depressed about life, but aren't many already depressed with the overly repetitive nature of this world? So then what? I'm glad you asked. Here is what God has been sharing with me:
We're deceived into thinking that the next new car will make us happy, that a promotion at work ought to do the trick, that finding true love will bring ever lasting joy. Maybe it's even as simple as just seeing your spouse or roommate do the dishes once in awhile. Of course then you will be so happy and content that it will last forever, right? Wake up! You know better than that. You have already lived long enough to know there is nothing new under the sun.
I hope this leaves you just a little somber and asking yourself, "well then what is the point of life?"
Solomon repeats frequently in the book of Ecclesiastes to focus on eating, drinking, and enjoying life. After all the possibilities that he explored, that is what he determined. I highly encourage you to read the whole book of Ecclesiastes for yourself. You won't be disappointed and it won't take you long. Wouldn't you agree that life is unfair? Wouldn't you agree that the smartest and best don't always gain more than the dumbest and wicked? So what is the point in pursuing the things of this world then? Life is so tragically short. Why spend your entire life seeking to obtain things or status when long after you are dead no one will remember you? What was it worth? For that matter, why be jealous or envious?
In years past and in years to come, people will seek riches, wisdom, and status, but all will die and none of that effort will have been worth it.
Besides eating, drinking, and enjoying life, I believe there is one thing we can pursue with passion and joy that can be everlasting, even beyond our deaths.
It's cliché now, but when was the last time you asked yourself, "What would Jesus do?" Start by asking yourself what did Jesus do? Did he work 40-60 hours a week for an employer to put money into a 401K and plan for retirement? NO!!! He did NOT!!! Next ask yourself what Jesus commissioned us to do? Didn't He say in Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”? Face it. We have been stuck in a rut and have not been enjoying our lives which are a gift from God.
Jesus said he will return for us, in part, in Matthew 24:14, when the gospel has been preached to the whole world. There are about six billion people on the Earth. I recently read that according to Christianity Today, about a third of the world’s population claim to be Christian. Do you realize that if we ignore the travel times and all the other red tape, that if each of that one third (current Christians) shared the gospel each with one unique unbeliever that in just three days the entire world could be told the Truth? I think that might be new under the sun and may not be futile.
So it may be time for us to get out of our comfort zones and tell someone today who Jesus is to us. That He is the Son of God, and our Savior. That all that call upon Him will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). The Devil's lies and fear are the only thing holding us back. Lies and fear are not real! Therefore, we have no excuse!
Go out there and change the world! Let God's love and compassion guide you. Have grace. Have forgiveness. Be a light unto the world. Don't stop with your daily "toiling" or with your job. Don't abandon everything. Just add two things into your life and into your day - God's compassion to share His love, and a joy for life. Enjoy your work and effort. We can each talk to one person today and still do all the other things we need to do to survive, can't we? In all things do them with a joyful and thankful heart and while at it do your best. Don’t let your life be a waste and don’t let your life be unhappy. Be different and overcome the world and make your life count!
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