Ecclesiastes, where have you been all my life? I can't believe I have never read this book. I mean I am seriously blown away right now. Are you ready for this?

Keep in mind that Ecclesiastes is an Old Testament book so there was no Jesus on earth, now our living hope. The book begins with a quote from the Teacher, King David's son Solomon, who ruled in Jerusalem and wrote this book according to Jewish tradition. The Teacher says "Everything is meaningless, utterly meaningless." Since I am by no means a writer and I REALLY want whoever reads this to grasp its awesomeness, I am going to copy the summary from my Bible before giving my interpretation. So, here it goes.

"There are few experiences in life that are more universal than disappointment. It seems as if everyone has experienced a broken promise, an unfulfilled expectation, or a shattered dream. The "Teacher" in the book of Ecclesiastes recorded his own experiences with disappointment as he tried to find peace apart from God. In the book, the Teacher uses a series of examples-- wealth, wisdom, popularity, pleasure- and shows how each of them ultimately ends in disappointment if it becomes the sole reason for one's existence. After pondering this dilemma for several chapters, the author finally comes to this conclusion: "Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person" (12:13). It appears that the Teacher abandoned any hope in worldly pursuits and decided that glorifying God provides the only lasting meaning of life."

After reading the summary I was like "Dang, I HAVE to read this book right NOW." When I finished reading this book, I was like "What am I doing????" Everything that the Teacher pointed out in this book I have either struggled with in the past, am currently struggling with, or know I will struggle with in the future. I have pursued things that have absolutely no meaning. As Solomon says multiple times in this book, pursuing ONLY worldly things is like chasing the wind. Maybe some of you can identify with some of these things that came to mind as I read Ecclesiastes. Keep in mind that when these things are talked about in this book, that are spoken of as if they are the ONLY thing a person pursues in this life.

HARD WORK. "What do people get for all their hard work? Generations come and go, but nothing really changes." Ecc. 1:3-4 "We don't remember what happened in those former times. And in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now." Ecc. 1:11 Are you basing your success in life on that grade, your GPA, that promotion, that starting position, the number on the scale, the dress size, etc.? Say you reach that goal, will you be satisfied...fully? Or will you find something else to focus all of your energy on? "Everything is so weary and tiresome! No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content." Ecc. 1:8

WEALTH. "I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees...I had everything a man could desire! But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere." Ecc. 2:4-5...11 Again, how do you define success? Is it by the number on the paycheck? Do the things you own measure your happiness, and do they actually make you happy...fully? Will they mean anything in a year, 10, 20, 50, when your dead? "I am disgusted that I must leave the fruits of my hard work to others. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? And yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work. How meaningless!" Ecc. 2:18-19 "Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it." Ecc. 5:10-11a

This book touches on basically anything the world has to offer. It is a must read. Although it may seem a bit depressing, and it does promise to deliver some conviction, this book reveals what life fearing God, has to offer. When we live our lives to recognize His awesome power and holiness, we are content. "Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work-- whatever they do under the sun-- for however long God lets them live. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-- that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy." Ecc. 5:18-20

"God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." Ecc. 3:11

"There is a time for everything,
A season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
Ecc. 3:1-8

Sorry I was long winded. I really hope you made it through and decide to read this book for yourself and evaluate the things you value in life!!!