Under the Sun
During my school days,
a favorite simile was ‘as persistent as a mosquito’. Experience had already
taught me this one before I read it in the Student’s Companion. Given an opportunity,
I could have also come close on ‘as wise as King Solomon’. Solomon definitely started
right by asking for wisdom above everything else under the sun. Doubtful
questions however arise about how well he applied the wisdom to his personal
life. Especially when one remembers from the Psalms that wisdom is acknowledging
God in one’s life[1].
At the beginning of
Solomon’s career, everything under the sun was meaningless in comparison to
wisdom. Having got it right at the beginning, he sadly lost it along the way. Instead
of wisdom, He pursued knowledge only to condemn it as a source of grief[2].
He sought amusement and pleasure only to find it empty[3]. He chased after women only to experience what
it was like to chase after the wind[4]
He had many wives and concubines who
bore him many children. He was in charge of many people as a king. He had
power, fame and acquired riches. At the end of this elusive search for meaning,
he found himself back where he started crying out, ‘Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything
is meaningless… Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” [5]
Solomon managed to
go the full circle. You may not make it. Instead of attempting 360 degrees, you
can do a 180-degree turn today. Fear God and keep his ways. The grace in Christ
is enough for all.
Very very true!
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