What is the most valuable thing in your life? You might say your children, your health, maybe your career because it pays for everything.
Stop and think about it and give yourself an answer.
Are you familiar King Solomon’s search for life’s meaning? One time he said:
“I became very famous, even greater than anyone who had lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom helped me in all this. Anything I saw and wanted, I got for myself; I did not miss any pleasure I desired. I was pleased with everything I did, and this pleasure was the reward for all my hard work.” (Ecclesiastes 2:9,10 NCV)
He then said:
“But then I looked at what I had done, and I thought about all the hard work. Suddenly I realized it was useless, like chasing the wind. There is nothing to gain from anything we do here on earth.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11NCV)
Solomon did not miss one pleasure of life. He had wealth, wisdom, women, pleasure of every kind and it all became boring and useless. Do you know his final conclusion for his life long search for happiness? Here’s what he said:
“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)
This is hard to believe from those who don’t have all they want. I remember visiting the Elvis mansion and museum. He had so much stuff and there he was - buried in his back yard among all his stuff. He left it right where it was and now it belongs to someone else.
In the end, as Solomon said, there’s nothing like living out the commands of God. For me, there is nothing like being outside and watching the rain or a beautiful thunder storm and sharing it with my sweet wife. Or hearing the wind in the trees, or seeing God’s creation.
There is nothing like having a meal at home with good friends and having meaningful conversations. There is nothing like worshipping at church, reading God’s word and meditating on my future life in heaven.
I know this can sound boring to the one on the hunt for that special relationship, or desiring more money and waning to own more stuff.
I suppose you will have to do what Solomon did - spend your whole life in search of happiness and finally at an old age, realize it always there in front of you.
What is in front of you right now? It’s God, his word, his people and the fulfillment “He” provides in the acceptance of his Son, following his commands which produce true happiness. The only way you will know it’s the truth, is to try it.
Like Solomon, then, you will find true happiness and fulfillment.
LORD, help us see the truth in that Jesus Christ paid it all so that our sins would be forgiven, so that we could live the life that you designed for us - our best life now and our best life for eternity. Help us see it. Believe it. Follow it. And live it. IJNIP amen ♥️
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