Over the past few weeks, I have been reading Ecclesiastes. I am not sure what prompted me to read this book, but I am guessing that there was something going on in my life, and in my spirit that needed to be addressed. Maybe it was that I needed a little wisdom and perspective for those in my life, or for myself. Whatever the reason, Solomon's words have been enriching.

I titled this post "Ecclesiastes is depressing" because on my first read of the book, and through the first few chapters, I was really down. For example, Ecclesiastes 1:2 opens:

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is Meaningless."

How else am I, as a Christian, supposed to react to that statement? I was not taught to believe that life is meaningless. I was taught that through Christ's love and grace, I could achieve anything. I realized, after the first couple of chapters, that I needed to continue my reading of Ecclesiastes in an attempt to truly understand Solomon’s intense negativity in the beginning of this book.

I challenge you to read through this useful book of the Old Testament. The realizations that I have amassed in the few short weeks of my study have only begun to scratch the surface of my understanding of what God truly wants out of my life. I pray that I may come to an understanding of God’s plan for me differently than Solomon did and not achieve wisdom in life feeling the following:

“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

Prayer:
Lord, grant to me the wisdom that I need to win Your battles in my life. Help me to see wisdom not as a burden, but strength to better serve You and Your people. Guide me when challenged, that my decisions and words may be Spirit filled and focused on Your heart and not my jealous, angry, or flesh filled desires. I ask this in Your Most Holy Name, Jesus Christ. Amen.