I was scanning the headlines this morning searching for a blog topic: “Legislators back gay rights — and survive,” “Anti-Semitic violence on rise in Europe,” “Jan. 24 called worst day of the year,” “Bush declares cultural and religious war on world…”
As I sat there wondering what to write, I thought, Anybody can spin anything for any reason. So I’ll blog about these stories and add my opinion to the pot — Is this all there is? Why is what I have to say about it worth reading? Does anyone seek after truth? Do I? The book of Ecclesiastes came to mind.
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, there they return again.All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
One day I’ll be gone from this earth (as will all of you). What will my life mean to those born after me? What contribution will I have made? What am I doing on this blog that will have lasting meaning, if what I’m doing means anything at all?
If I’m looking for satisfaction in the mere act of writing or providing “commentary,” then it’s not enough. It will never be enough. Human desire is never satisfied. The eye will never be satisfied with seeing and the ear will never be filled with hearing. But if my purpose is also God’s, that is, to look at the world as he sees it, through spiritual eyes, I can focus on a transcendent truth that never changes as the generations pass away. All is vanity without God.
Generations before me asked the same questions and struggled with the same issues. Martin Luther probably had no idea the number of lives he’d touch by hanging his 95 theses on that door at Wittenberg and neither did the soul who sat at a whites-only Woolworth lunch counter while being spat upon and called every name in the book.
If I’m living for mere accomplishments, hoping they will satisfy me, my labors are in vain. I’ve been restless lately, wanting this thing to happen quickly or that thing to be over soon, but all I know is this:
Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12: 12-14)
I’m in an introspective mood today. Developing…
