Finding Joy in the Meaningless
When I surveyed all that my
hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was
meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:11
READ Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
In 2010, James Ward, the creator of the blog
“I Like Boring Things,” launched a conference called the “Boring
Conference.” It’s a one-day celebration of the mundane, the ordinary,
and the overlooked. In the past, speakers have addressed seemingly
meaningless topics like sneezing, sounds that vending machines make, and
inkjet printers of 1999. Ward knows the topics may be boring, but the
speakers can take a mundane subject and make it interesting, meaningful,
and even joyful.
Several millennia ago, Solomon, the wisest of kings, launched his own
search for joy in the meaningless and mundane. He pursued work, bought
flocks, built wealth, acquired singers, and constructed buildings
(Ecclesiastes 2:4–9). Some of these pursuits were honorable and some
were not. Ultimately, in his pursuit of meaning, the king found nothing
but boredom (v. 11). Solomon maintained a worldview that didn’t press
beyond the limits of human experience to include God. Ultimately,
however, he realized that he’d find joy in the mundane only when he
remembered and worshiped God (12:1–7). When we find ourselves in
the whirlwind of tedium, let’s launch our own daily mini-conference, as
we “remember [our] Creator” (v. 1)—the God who fills the mundane with
meaning. As we remember and worship Him, we’ll find wonder in the
ordinary, gratitude in the mundane, and joy in the seemingly meaningless
things of life.
By Marvin Williams |
Why is it so hard to find meaning in things
that can never satisfy? How do you need to reprioritize your commitment
to and worship of God so you can find your meaning in Him?
God, take the unremarkable moments of my life and infuse them with Your joy and wonder. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Ecclesiastes was most likely
written by Solomon; the author is said to be the son of David (1:1) and
king of Israel (v. 12). This is significant because as king, Solomon had
access to everything he needed to conduct his “experiment” of finding
meaning by pursuing the things that humans desire the most (2:1–11).
Additionally, throughout this search for meaning and despite indulging
in worldly pleasures, he notes that he was still being guided by wisdom
(vv. 3, 9). We’re told he was the wisest person to have ever lived (see 1
Kings 3:11–12).
Julie Schwab
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