In reflecting upon my college career and in looking towards the future, I spent this morning thinking about what life is about. I turned to the book of Ecclesiastes. For this first time in a long time I had the privilege of time to read the entire book and as I did I was greatly struck by a few things I would like to share:
A few recurring elements appear throughout the book, the most prominent of which is to eat and drink and enjoy one's toil on earth. Solomon elucidates how the years he spent in mirth and in pursuit of possessions did not satisfy. The same circumstance betakes the poor and the rich, the happy and the sad-death. He posits that there is greater benefit in wisdom than in folly, yet both the wise and the foolish perish. He praises an understanding that there is a time in life for everything.
Let me bring us to a crossroads here, for as never before we are all at one. This book, almost like counterpoint in music, has two themes that weave in and out of each other. Life and enjoyment. In the words of a wise man "life sucks." Solomon agrees. Yet there are elements to be enjoyed.
This is a bit incoherent, perhaps reflecting my post-traumatic college stress syndrome. What I mean is this. As Solomon claims in chapter 12, the days of our youth have been fun. The Lord has seen fit to bless us with great times and even better friends, each other. Yet life is no longer on the horizon, it is knocking at the door, and life is/will be difficult. I exhort myself and you all to two things:
1. Remember your Creator (12:1) because in the day of joy as in the day of adversity, God has made both (7:14). The end of Solomon's thoughts is this-fear God and follow his commandments, this is the duty of man (12:13).
2. Enjoy life, especially with your wife (9:9)! Vanity encircles so many of life's pursuits but with the fear of God as the engine, cannot joy be the caboose? In nearly every chapter, Solomon highlights eating and drinking (champagne anyone?) and enjoying our toil. While we are leaving many of the follies of k suite behind, let us remember that life can be enjoyed. Whether it is wedding plans, or seminary classes, or babies (cigar anyone?) or even trials, the Lord is in them and they can be enjoyed?
These are just some ruminations of an over-caffeinated ex-college student. Please inform my thinking on this boys.
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2 comments:
Thanks, Jared...I will have to read Ecclesiastes and think about life's meaning. I would have to agree that life is knocking on the door. I have felt happpy about this because I can read the paper, books, and discuss them with others. I have been longing to do this for a while. So life is easy for the next three weeks, eating good food, getting presents, and enjoying time with my fiancee. But this is not real life, for I will have to get a job and concern myself with wedding plans and saving money up to take care of my wife. I am stalled in a luxury RV 100 yards from these cross roads: as I enjoy my RV, I see the traffic lights swinging in life's wind. Enjoy a pipe for me, Jared (and Jeremy). I am in a GARBC citidel.
Shall I come as a knight in shining armor and rescue you from the evil king's citadel?
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