The Vanity of Vanities!

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 (KJV) 

² Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.  ³ What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

          One of my favorite writers in the bible is Solomon.  He has a way of making profound statements that leave me in awe.  When he writes, he has a way of carefully wording things in a concise and calculated way.  Of all the books he wrote in the bible, he broaches the issue of wisdom in every book.  The bible states he is the wisest man to ever live.  If you are on a path seeking to be wise, the writings of Solomon in the bible are something you might want to read.

          Solomon writes the book of Ecclesiastes at a later period in life after he reflected on his life.  Solomon had it all in his life.  He was the wisest man to ever live, he had the most wealth in his day, and he also had more women than anyone else during his day.  Then he had the power to do whatever he wanted to do as king. He writes in the text and expresses to us that it was all vanity.  He wants us to understand from a secular perspective it can appear we have it all and still have nothing.  Solomon was empty and in search of meaning of life.  Many of us pursue different things in an effort to find meaning in life. 

What things have you pursued in life only to find out it was a temporary fix and it did not give you the satisfaction or gratification you expected?   Solomon also indicates to us we do not gain an advantage nor are we any better from an earthly perspective no matter how hard we work if it is empty. 

Solomon also writes in Psalm 127:1-2 (KJV)
¹ Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. ² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

The point that Solomon is driving home is, if God is not in what we pursue then it is empty.  When God is a part of what we are pursuing then we can rest and not worry.  Are you feeling empty and unfulfilled today?  Are you still searching for meaning in life?  If you are, then pray and ask God to reveal to you his purpose.  Then allow him to guide you towards fulfilling his purpose for your life.


God bless and keep you is my prayer.