When All is Said and Done

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). I know, I know…that does not sound like a very encouraging way to start a note of encouragement. However, Solomon had some very important things to say after he wrote this rather discouraging-sounding statement. It is not hard for us to become discouraged enough that we want to cry the same cry when we look at our lives. Sometimes the pressure builds up so much that we know exactly what Solomon meant. Or, we think we do, anyway.

Actually, Solomon seems to have been speaking out of something other than frustration. First of all, Solomon wrote at the direction of the Holy Spirit, so that makes this a little different from the petty frustrations I have from time to time. Solomon was not writing out of frustration, but out of experience. What Solomon had discovered is that trying to gain happiness by any other means than by giving yourself completely to the will of God is vain, futile and worthless. And Solomon had tried everything he could try.

In Ecclesiastes 2:1 he said to himself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. Boy, wouldn’t you like to give yourself that test? Solomon actually tried to find happiness and fulfillment in personal, physical pleasure. He held nothing back from himself and in the end he found that pleasure, too, was vain and futile. Pleasure just will not work when it comes to making you truly happy or fulfilled.

There are a lot of people in this world who have the same idea that Solomon had: to test themselves with pleasure. They hold nothing back; there are no holds barred. Anything goes! And yet they find themselves increasingly unhappy rather than happy. You do not have to be a genius to look around and see that unhappiness reigns supreme in the lives of many, many people. Maybe you are one of them.

You will be happy to know that Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes is not a book of complaints that life is unfair. When he says all is vanity, he means all that originates with man is vanity. There is hope. There is encouragement to be had if you will look in the right place. In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes we find some words of true wisdom. In 12:1 he says, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’…” In other words, stop looking for fulfillment in yourself or here on earth and turn to God before it’s too late! Read Ecclesiastes 12:2-5 and apply what is written there to the running down of the human body as we grow old.

Solomon gives one more bit of advice for those who are searching for happiness and fulfillment. In 12:13 he says, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” There is nothing I could say that would be more encouraging than that. True happiness, true encouragement can only come from God. Know that anything other than total commitment to God is futility. And know that He loves you and so do I.