YOU CAN LIVE AN EXCITING LIFE WITH MEANING AND PURPOSE!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:2)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever felt that life is basically just repetition of the same
things over and over, and it causes you to feel you are in a rut
(which is a grave with both ends ‘kicked out’)? It can create a
dismal view of the future, can’t it?

If you have felt this way, you are not alone. Kind Solomon felt the
same way and he is known as the wisest man in history. Look at
what the scriptures say about his wisdom:
    God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight,
    and a breadth of understanding as measureless as
    the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was
    greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East,
    and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser
    than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser
    than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And
    his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
    (1 Kings 4:29-31)

Not only did God give him a high level of wisdom, but He also gave him
‘great insight’. This means that Solomon had the ability to evaluate the
current, but he could also anticipate the future, including how life is
impacted by the things it encounters and its environment.

When someone with his credentials paints a gloomy picture for living,
it means that we could all experience the same feelings at times in our
own lives. Look at how he describes life as repetitious and boring:
    What do people gain from all their labors at which they
    toil under the sun? Generations come and generations
    go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the
    sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind
    blows to the south and turns to the north; round and
    round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams
    flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place
    the streams come from, there they return again. All
    things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye
    never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
    What has been will be again, what has been done will be
    done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
    (Ecclesiastes 1:3-9)

It may seem like life is a hopeless situation, but it is not! After Solomon
tried everything he could think of to satisfy his cravings (and he had the
wealth to do them), the wisest man concluded that the solution is found in
developing a healthy relationship with the God of the universe.
    Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
    Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of
    all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
    (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

The New Testament also instructs us to develop a relationship with God.
    For You granted him authority over all people that
    He might give eternal life to all those You have given
    Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the
    only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
    (John 17:2-3)

In order to have this relationship with God, we need to believe in,
and have a daily fellowship, with His Son, Jesus. He is the One who
went to the cross for us and made it possible for us to be part of God’s
family, so that we could sit at the table of plenty with Him, whenever
we have concluded our earthly journey.

The assurance of an eternal life changes our outlook on life and living.
It is a choice we all can make, and we need to choose wisely.
    For God so loved the world that He gave His one
    and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall
    not perish but have eternal life.
    (John 3:16)

    And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall
    lose none of all those He has given Me, but raise them
    up at the last day. For My Father’s will is that everyone
    who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have
    eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
    (John 6:39-40)

But Jesus did even more – He made it possible for us to enjoy
life on earth without feeling that it is a boring, repetitious rut.
    The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
    I have come that they may have life, and have it
    to the full.
    (John 10:10)

ACTION:
Questions to consider:
    – Do you have the bleak feelings mentioned above?
    – Does it sometimes feel that you are on a treadmill that’s going nowhere?
    – Do you struggle with finding a goal or purpose in life?

Rather than continuing in a seemingly endless rut, follow the advice of
the scriptures and learn from the wisest man. Spend more time reading
the Bible and meeting with other believers for worship so you can learn
more about God’s messages to His people. In addition, when we commit
to doing what He has called us to do, our lives will become even more
vibrant and exciting!

We cannot have a close relationship with Him if we continue doing things
He doesn’t like. What things? The things that violate what God expects of
those who belong to Him, including the things we have justified in our minds
as being okay, but we know in our hearts that they are outside His Will.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises in a world
that can seem bent on stealing my joy and happiness. Thank
You for sending Jesus to provide me the opportunity to create
a relationship with You and with Him, and to experience a life
of joy that has been eluding me. Help me to spend more time
reading Your Word so that I can find even more valuable
information I need for increasing my fellowship with You,
and enjoying life in a new way!”

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