Chasing The Wind Pt1 Series

Question: Can you relate to wise Solomon’s thoughts? Do you feel like in your life you have been chasing the wind and never catching it? That your life is meaningless void of fulfillment and contentment? Your dreams are never met? Your goals once met mean nothing?

Let’s read Solomon’s words again ---- Ecc. 1:2-4; 8; 14: “Meaningless! MEANINGLESS!” SAYS THE TEACHER. “UTTERLY MEANINGLESS!” Everything Is meaningless.” What does man gain from his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever…all things are wearisome…I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind!

As you reread his thoughts you see him saying that time slips by but nothing on earth changes! Such is life! People are born people die and the earth is still stuck in the same unending cycle! Wow, he sounds a little suicidal to me – life just speeds by -with no meaning and purpose – it’s boring and monotonous – you get stuck in routine with no excitement or meaning --- Question: Does life do that? Is Solomon on to something in his observation?

I pondered that thought some this week:

I was associate pastor here in the late 80’s for 3 ½ years, left went to New Life for 11 years in Wi. and then returned to be lead pastor in November of 2008. I have been here for over 8 years and I have seen God do awesome things here at Christian Hills Church. I have often sat and pondered how quickly this time has speed by? It seems like it was just a blink of an eye ago we came back. I stand before you today and think about how my kids are all grown up, serving God, the awesome grandkids I have and the fifth one due within the month. My little girls have grown into wonderful women of God. Two of them have great husbands serving God and my grandkids love the church and Jesus. I have seen people come and go in my life and at CHC over my time here. I have discovered that life has continued to move forward faster and faster as I get older – it seems to be going by with each blink of my eyes. My life and experiences have brought many opportunities, many blessings, some hardships, some trials, several teaching moments, even miracle moments, lots of prayerful moments, some sorrowful moments and there have been times of loss and gain. There are so many memories that flood my mind as I look back at my life – as I ponder and think about my life I quickly discover these memories good and bad – Why? They are etched into my mind and my heart! I guess time slips by quicker than we may think! Solomon observed that reality of life!

Solomon is writing this thought provoking book at the end of his life! I am sure the memories are flooding his mind as he writes this spirit driven book focusing on the meaning of life. Specifically, his own life! But this book is inspired by the Holy Spirit so you and I can read it and learn from wise old Solomon.

Solomon covers his memories of time – his life’s accomplishment are frozen in his mind and they are picture frames of happiness – sadness – and joy. They bring pieces of learning to his life – they helped him to grow and to think clearer. They etched lessons and concepts into his heart to be drawn on again and again. They helped him to learn and to grow though life’s ups and downs. They are precious moments of time that will never be forgotten or discarded by Solomon – so he writes about them so you and I can also get wisdom from them. They are to be used by us so we find real meaning in life – they are to be tapered with wisdom and insight from God. He writes this book for us to learn from his life and from his spiritual journey.