The Monotony Of Life - Are You Feeling It?

What’s the purpose of your an my life?

Why are you working so hard? What are you going to receive from the things you are investing your time, money, and effort in? Is it worth it? Are you climbing the right ladder? Are you living your life in the best way?

And if not, what ways could be better?

These are the observations of King Solomon. Now here is a guy who knew more than most, had experienced more than any of us ever will, and listen to his opening words of boredom and monotony:

“People live, and people die, but the earth continues forever. The sun rises, the sun sets, and then it hurries back to where it rises again. The wind blows to the south; it blows to the north. It blows from one direction and then another. Then it turns around and repeats the same pattern, going nowhere. All the rivers flow to the sea, but the sea never becomes full. Everything is boring, so boring that you don’t even want to talk about it. Words come again and again to our ears, but we never hear enough, nor can we ever really see all we want to see” (Ecclesiastes 1:4-8 NCV).

Wow, this is boredom maxed out. I jut love Ecclesiastes. These are raw words that sound like what people actually think but rarely say out loud.

I think King Solomon shared feelings that soak into the bones, but most don’t dare to share. Solomon put into words what so many of us feel. We chase things, hunt for happiness, look for fulfillment, and often end up coming up short.

So many people, are dissatisfied. I can’t tell how many older, retired people have said to me “Is this all there is?”

So, what’s the conclusion?

After all his wisdom, his wealth, his relationships, his power, and his endless searching, Solomon says:

“Now, everything has been heard, so I give my final advice: Honor God and obey his commands, because this is all people must do. God will judge everything, even what is done in secret, the good and the evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NCV).

That’s his answer. That’s the end of the story. When all is said and done, the purpose of life is not in money, power, an affair, travel, working out, hobbies, or pleasure, it is in honoring God.

So how does that work? And how could it be that these things don’t satisfy?

This is going to sound so religous: “Jesus is the truth.” He said, “I came to give life, life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 NCV).

You actually have to live-out God’s way - Jesus’ way. Only then do you find fullness. So what’s that look like? It’s simple stuff like:

- Start your day with God, not your phone. Time in the Scripture and prayer realigns your heart.

- Learn to enjoy simple daily gifts: a good meal, laughter with friends, the beauty of creation. Enjoy the breeze, the quietness, good music, even working out, journaling, sharing and visiting others.

- Serve others. Nothing fills the soul like giving your time, energy, and heart to bless someone else. It heals deeply. It satisfies at the soul level. It’s how we love and receive love.

- Live with eternity in mind. Before making decisions, ask, “Will this matter a hundred years from now? Will this matter in eternity?” We chase the temporary. At the end, we leave it all behind and it all deteriorates, including our bodies.

Solomon’s words remind us what life is not about. Jesus reminds us what life truly is about. Together they point us away from chasing the wind and toward living in the fullness of God’s love. But we gotta practice it.

So, let me ask you: are you tired of the monotony? Then step into the life Jesus offers, life filled with purpose, joy, and peace that no one can take away. Start living differently - eternally - you’ll see for yourself.

LORD, give us eternal eyes, a heart to love and honor you, and the mind-set to serve and love others. It’s where fullness lives. IJNIP amen ♥️