I used to be (and somewhat still am) a math and science geek. I wanted to be some kind of engineer because I liked and, for the most part, understood and liked math and science class. I got it. It made sense. It always worked. I had a revelation during calculus class that changed my outlook on life forever. A big part of calculus is figuring out the limits of something if it happened forever. One day we did a problem and the conclusion was this: If you start at a certain point and take a step that will bring you halfway to your goal you take steps forever and never reach the goal. My mind started to wander and in some ways it’s never come back. It got me thinking about goals and satisfaction and what really matters. I knew enough about my human nature and my competitiveness to realize that any goal that I set that I could meet was a goal set too low. I would have to follow up an attained goal with one that was greater. What’s the limit of that or a lifetime? A lifetime of working and achieving and seeking after something that I originally thought would be satisfying but when I got there I knew it would be empty – I would need more. There had to be more.
I think Solomon struggled with the same thing after being abundantly blessed by God and given or achieving anything he put his mind to. Read Ecclesiates. All is vanity. Mirriam Webster defines vanity as something that is vain, empty, valueless. As I focus on work i’m focusing on process and planning and KPI and ROI and budgets. These things are great in running a business in the worlds eyes but isn’t it all vanity? What difference is there really when I’m gone if I made $10 or $10 million? Isn’t money just a tool that we are to manage and use for His kingdom? Trying to build wealth is tiring and what is it for? So I can eat better or dress better or watch a bigger TV? Solomon concluded that seeking wisdom was vanity in chapter one. In chapter two he reaches the conclusion that the pursuit of pleasure, posessions and labor is vanity. In chapter five he concludes the pursuit of riches is vanity.
Let me cut to the chase. Solomon – the wisest man that ever walked the earth (besides Jesus) says this:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – NASB95
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
I’m at a point in my life right now where I can relate to what I think Solomon was feeling when he wrote Ecclesiates. All is vanity – except fearing God and keeping his commandments. Jesus gave us a new commandment:
John 13:34 – NASB95
34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
What in life is not vanity? Love God, love people. Period. The limit of doing this for a lifetime has infinite eternal value. The rest is a waste of time.
