The Search for Satisfaction

Money.

Education.

Love.

Happiness.

These are just a few of the long list of things which humanity is constantly seeking after to be satisfied. The author of Ecclesiastes calls all of these things "vanity and a striving after wind." This gives me as the reader such a sense of futility. No matter how hard you work, how much money you make, how much you are loved by those around you or what level of degree you have achieved, satisfaction is not guaranteed.

Don't be discouraged.

It is an intimidating idea, that we do not have ulitmate control over our happiness but the author of Ecclesiastes is at least able to offer some advice from his own experiences. Here are a few:

Let your words be few (5:2)
Be not overly wicked or a fool. (7:17)
Be not overly righteous or too wise. (7:16)
Enjoy life with the life whom you love. (9:9)
Do not take to heart everything people say. (7:21)
Spend time outside. (11:7)

Little pieces of wisdom left for us to gather from his journey. Although we do not know the course of our life, although we are not in control of the things around us, God is the ultimate provider. It is on Him we must lean while fearing him. For "the end of the matter; all has been heard" and He is all that matters.

So if you are tempted to despair, on the edge of giving up and frustrated with failure in your search for satisfaction here is my advice:

Read Ecclesiastes. Take to heart the questions the author asks, feel the desperation and hear of the struggle. And there amongst the questions and the frustration you may discover, at the end of the text that indeed there is hope and God is indeed good.