The world is full of things that will distract you from your purpose and life’s meaning. King Solomon lived about 3000 years ago but his wisdom recorded in Ecclesiastes is so profound for our current state of life in America. Americans are overwhelmed with perceived expectations from work, culture, family and friends. It can be debilitating and paralyzing. But Solomon gives us a moment to discover clarity and peace in Ecclesiastes.
See, we need a bigger God theology. That means, we don’t minimize our stories. I know many of us are dealing with a prolonged illness or adult children who have left God or the end of a career and no enough money to retire. There are lots of things that can bog down our process of becoming everything God created us to be. But a bigger God theology states that, despite our circumstances, God is bigger than that thing we are dealing with in our life.
So in Ecclesiastes, King Solomon gives us four things to consider if we want to move post those road blocks and move on to a more productive and joyful life.
First Solomon reminds us that we can’t control outcomes. We had ideas about what our marriage would look like. In our mind, it was going to be Disney-like…a fairy tale. We got married and it was different than we thought. It’s a great marriage and fulfilling but it’s not like we dreamed it would be. You can’t control outcomes.
Our kids grow up and make choices that would not be the ones we would have made for them. They end up going to a different college, moving away from us and even marrying someone we don’t think is a fit. No matter how hard we try, we can’t control other people. In Ecclesiastes 7:14, Solomon reminds us, “…nothing is certain in this life.”
But he also tells us that power cannot bring pleasure. And he should know. He was the most powerful, wisest king in his day and at the end of his life, he’s saying power is like a vapor, like chasing the wind. No matter the title on your office door, no matter how much sway you have in the market place, no matter if you’re the patriarch or matriarch in your family, Solomon reminds us that we will never find joy in the power we wield.
Solomon knows about people getting a leg up even though they don’t follow God. But he reminds us in Ecclesiastes 8:12, “…those that fear God are better off.” Fear or respect God and you will not fear death. Solomon is at at the end of his life as he dictates Ecclesiastes and he knows death is the great equalizer. He says as you follow God it may look like others have more money and prestige, more pull and position. Those people may not be following God and no matter what it looks like, those that fear God are better off.
Finally, Solomon calls us to find joy in ordinary life. In Ecclesiastes 8:15 and 9:7-10, he says we should love our work and eating because they are gifts from God. Enjoy the life God has given you. Enjoy your marriage and just the rhythm of life. You don’t need to be a social media influencer or have a life with a big splash. Enjoy the natural and normal ebb and flow of life. It’s all from God.
So may you find joy as we begin a new school year. May you discover true purpose of your raise your kids and enjoy your marriage. May you feel the presence of God in your life as you live into your purpose. Blessings on the journey.