Photo Credit: Creative Commons, 9oerge
Do you ever feel as though you’re running through life and just chasing the wind? I know, that’s a weird analogy. But do you ever feel like you’re running after…nothing? Running after things that have no worth. Things that are a waste of time. Things that feel great but they just don’t fill your satisfaction tank.
Have you felt that? Think about it.
During your run, you might think you’re chasing after what looks like the most spectacular thing and that you’re going to find true happiness in it. But at the end of the chase you’re not happy and actually feel more unhappy.
When I think of chasing the wind, I think of technology–I think of Apple. You’ll never have the greatest and latest because Apple likes to introduce their newest product right when you’ve purchased the newest item from them. HOW ANNOYING IS THAT?! I’ve heard people say, “I can never keep up!!! Something great is always on the way right when I thought I’ve purchased the best thing on the line!”
I love the book of Ecclesiastes. This book speaks into my life because like Solomon, I feel like I’m constantly chasing after meaningless things–things that will never make me happy or satisfy me.
King Solomon (the son of King David and Bathsheba) was known for his wisdom. This guy was ridiculously smart–someone you would probably be afraid of debating with. I’m sure he was like an Encyclopedia. Probably would win Jeopardy. Yeah, THAT SMART.
Maybe you’re aware of the story of the two women who were having a quarrel over a child and were battling over who the real mother was (1 Kings 3:16-28). Solomon suggested that they cut the child in half and each “mother” could have a half of the child. One of gals was totally up for it while the other one refused to do that. Sneaky sneaky. Solomon knew what he was doing and he knew that the woman who was against cutting the baby in half was the real mother.
Wise guy (no sarcasm, folks).
Solomon instantly starts chapter 1 of Ecclesiastes by saying, “Everything is meaningless.”
WOAH. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
You might be thinking, “Wow. What’s his problem?” I sure asked that question.
I also asked, “Why would this be in the Bible?” As I further studied, Solomon had a point.
He states a list of things that happen but don’t receive anything in return.
1. Work hard– Nothing. (v. 4)
2. Sun rises, it sets, repeat. (v. 5)
3. Everything is wearisome beyond description. (v.8)
4. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. (v.8)
Oh how I relate to number 4.
My eyes take in so much but I’m hungry for more. I hear wonderful things but they never fill my ________ tank [whatever tank it is that day].
Discontentment has been my middle name for awhile. It eats at my soul and pours into my relationships with my family and friends. I play the “whose grass is greener?” game and start comparing my life with others.
Solomon had EVERYTHING. Wisdom, amazing food, beautiful home(s), relationship(s), you name it. But he decided to find out if having all this plus more would add to his life.
“So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.”-verse 17-18
Cue Solomon on his journey to fill his pleasure tank. He shares that he clutched to foolishness and sought to experience the only happiness most people would find during their brief life on earth. He built glamorous homes and added gardens, slaves, and flocks of animals. He hired singers and mistresses. He was great and had everything a person would ever desire. Yet, he saw that this all was meaningless.
It’s rough living here on planet earth because everyone is trying to make a name for themselves. We chase after success, beauty, wisdom, popularity, etc. Even when we get it, does it really make us happy? Are we looking for the next best thing?
Seriously, an actor can’t just be an actor. He has to be an actor, a singer, and a dancer. (Example: Disney stars).
We chase wind.
Wind that we sometimes will never grasp. Exhaustion occurs. Depression starts.
We chase wind that we might actually get a hold of but we loose sight of reality. We tangle ourselves in things that we thought we would never get into. We dig holes. Bigger and bigger each time.
I’ve seen anxiety, pride, depression, unhappiness, guilt, etc. occur in people when they chase after things that have no meaning on this earth.
Lie. I’ve experienced those things. I’m sure you have as well.
What are chasing after? Seek the areas in your life where you can sense complete dissatisfaction. God says, “Seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7). I challenge you to pray and boldly ask God, “What am I chasing after? Where have I lost sight?” He will show it to you.
“And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.”1 John 2:17
Part 2 is going to be about chasing after what will satisfy us which will give us hope & a future. Find me on Twitter @sarahhhvictoria! Would love to chat & connect.
--by their fruit-- 