It is All Vanity

“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14 KJV)

Solomon used his great human wisdom to acquire a lot of knowledge, power, wealth, wives, and everything else that he desired that he thought would create meaning and value to his life. He discovered that all he had acquired could only give him fleeting happiness and satisfaction. None gave any deep or lasting satisfaction. He discovered that they were meaningless and pointless; like trying to hold the wind. He also realized that they were things that he had to leave in the world because he could not take them with him to the grave. At the end he concluded that what human beings need to do is to fear the Lord and obey his commandments. This is what is of lasting value: the basis of God’s judgment and reward for the lives we lead.

Where do you seek your satisfaction and happiness? Nothing in the world has any lasting significance. The most important thing is to seek and obey the will of God in your life. Get inspired by the promise of renewed hope offered by the New Year to commit to follow Christ to the eternity he offers.

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Cure yourself of the affliction of caring how you appear to others.  Concern yourself only with how you appear before God, concern yourself only with the idea that God may have of you.

Miguel De Unamuno

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