Success without Purpose
This morning I needed some additional rest to recover from a restless night. I did return to Twyla Osler for a massage. It has been months since I have been to Twyla and I hope that her efforts will promote my nerve regeneration and increased range of motion.
I then slipped in late to the Prime Timers lunch at Timberline Church. Pastor John Engle shared his plans to step down from his visitation ministry and retire. John is a valued friend and was such a great support during my hospital stays. Pastor Wally Weber shared some practical guidelines for making end of life plans so that the twenty decisions, that need to be made at the time of death would be easier for family members.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward. Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn’t mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind—of no use at all.” Ecclesiastes 2:10,11
When I was young the Book of Ecclesiastes and the Book of Revelation, were two books that I tended to avoid. They seemed too difficult to understand. Since the Book of Ecclesiastes has so many ramblings that do not inform us about godly living I wasn’t sure of the value or how to make sense of it all. However, the older I become the more I appreciate Solomon’s reflection of modern day success without purpose.
Remember Solomon was not of the 99% jealous and envious of the success of the 1% – he represented the 99.999% of his day who had it all and when he found he had it all, he discovered he had nothing at all.
He had position, wisdom, wealth, women, pleasure, understanding of the world around him, like none other. Yet he still said,“Our eyes can never see enough to be satisfied; our ears can never hear enough. What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world.” Ecclesiastes 1:8,9
Look at what else Solomon observed and did, “I decided to enjoy myself and find out what happiness is. But I found that this is useless, too. I discovered that laughter is foolish, that pleasure does you no good…I accomplished great things. I built myself houses and planted vineyards. I planted gardens and orchards, with all kinds of fruit trees in them…I also piled up silver and gold from the royal treasuries of the lands I ruled. Men and women sang to entertain me, and I had all the women a man could want.” Eccl. 2:4-8
Solomon realized that “you can’t take it with you” and that brought about a sobering reality. Not only was there a lack of satisfaction in possessions, success and status, but all you worked for you go to someone else who did nothing to earn it. “Nothing that I had worked for and earned meant a thing to me, because I knew that I would have to leave it to my successor, and he might be wise, or he might be foolish—who knows? Yet he will own everything I have worked for, everything my wisdom has earned for me in this world.” Eccl. 2:18-19
Solomon realized the same fate awaits all people. “I thought to myself, “What happens to fools is going to happen to me, too. So what have I gained from being so wise?” “Nothing,” I answered, “not a thing.” No one remembers the wise, and no one remembers fools. In days to come, we will all be forgotten. We must all die—wise and foolish alike.” Eccl. 2:15,16
How disappointing it is to work all your life to “make a name for yourself” and to realize that in time you will be forgotten. I recall a political colleague sayings, “it doesn’t long to go from a “whose who” too “whose that?”
Solomon realized that true purpose comes from God. The final paragraph of Solomon’s reflections on life, success and living reveal that purpose is God-ordained. He is our “north star” and when we understand that, we have peace and contentment and don’t have unrealistic expectations about ourselves, our accomplishments and what our short life on this planet offers. “After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.” Eccl. 12:13
Don’t look for purpose in success, but allow your God-given purpose give meaning to your success and the way you live your life.