Our church has been going through a sermon series on Ecclesiastes, in which the author describes his quest to find meaning in different things in life, finding them all meaningless. Ecclesiastes is one of the books that many non-Christian friends appreciate since its reflections and musings deeply resonate with the reality of life's experiences.
I was reading Thomas a Kempis' Of the Imitation of Christ, and this excerpt, I feel, does quite a good job of capturing the core message of Ecclesiastes, and was really good for me to reflect on.
What are the things that I long for? Are they temporary or eternal? Are they selfish or Christ-centered? Am I storing up treasures on earth or in heaven? I admit that oftentimes, the things I long for are "perishing riches", or "honors" and "high degree". It is also true that I oftentimes simply follow the "desires of the flesh", rather than setting my heart after those things which are true, noble, and pure.
Personally, I have definitely felt the truth that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end are the ways of death" (Prov 14:12), and that the life of following after Christ, though requiring much sacrifice and cross-bearing, ultimately leads to "life abundant and full", both in this life and the one to come. May God strengthen us and help us to let go of all the things that bind us and keep us from living the fruitful life he has made us to live!
Personally, I have definitely felt the truth that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end are the ways of death" (Prov 14:12), and that the life of following after Christ, though requiring much sacrifice and cross-bearing, ultimately leads to "life abundant and full", both in this life and the one to come. May God strengthen us and help us to let go of all the things that bind us and keep us from living the fruitful life he has made us to live!
"Vanity of vanities... all is vanity" (Ecc 1:2), except to love God and to serve Him only. This is the highest wisdom, by the contempt of the world to press forward toward heavenly kingdoms.
Therefore it is vanity to seek after perishing riches and to trust in them. Also it is vanity to hunt after honors and to climb to high degree. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and to long after that for which you must afterward suffer grievous punishment. It is vanity to wish to live long and to be careless to live well. It is vanity to mind only this present life, and not to foresee those things that are to come. It is vanity to set your love on that which speedily passes away, and not to hasten to where everlasting joy abides.
Call often to mind that proverb, "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing" (Ecc 1:8). Endeavor therefore to withdraw your heart from the love of visible things and to turn yourself to things invisible. For they that follow their own sensuality defile their consciences and lose the grace of God.
-- Of the Imitation of Christ (Thomas a Kempis)
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