Everything is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes is a very straightforward book that provides a harsh reality. As depressing as it's overall message "Everything is Meaningless" can be, this is one of my favorite book in the Old Testament. I believe it speaks the most truth and is easily translated and related to modern American society. We have been focused on this book at my church for the past few weeks and this is the summary I have drawn from the sermons: 

We often live rowing toward the island of happiness. Where the things like the perfect education, job, and spouse exist. And we row thinking that God’s current is constantly floating us toward the island of sadness. Where the things like sickness, broken hearts, and financial distress exist. 

But that’s not true. Because neither of those islands are real. We’ve made them up. We don’t float around in a boat, fighting the current and the wind to get to ultimate happiness. No, instead we are on an island called life. Where sadness and happiness have to coexist in order to work. Without sadness and tragedy, we wouldn’t know happiness and gratitude. 

Ultimate happiness doesn’t exist. Not on Earth at least. Not in real life. In Heaven maybe, but we aren’t there yet. We are made to live now. In the moment. To be happy with what we have, and realize that what we don’t and what is breaking us down is really just a way of building us up. 

It is harsh and blunt, yes, but it is true. All of the things we think we absolutely cannot live without are nothing but vapors, according to Ecclesiastes. The only true happiness we can find is in God and we must live in fear of Him and we are forever indebted to Him. 

A very interesting and very powerful idea to digest.