¹¹ Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NKJV)

Quote of the Day

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” 

— C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Reflection

Have you ever felt the desire to escape everyday life? Maybe you encountered a season of dissatisfaction, stress, or pain. Perhaps you’re not stressed or experiencing physical pain, but you’re going through an extended period of loneliness. I would venture to say that we’ve all encountered these sorts of feelings. In fact, some of you are likely tackling these kinds of feelings right now.

That’s when the temptation to find an escape hits. That moment where we’re triggered, battling heartbreak, or wrestling with these dispositions alone is the one that begins the pattern. I want to point out that the experience of these feelings doesn’t constitute sin. The danger comes when we allow them to govern us or submit to temptation in an attempt to numb the pain.

That decision may leave us feeling appeased for a short time, but overall, we all know in our hearts that we cannot satisfy ourselves outside of God.

Take a look at our quote of the day for a moment. The conclusion we ought to draw is not “Oh, I need to do something to help me escape the pain.” Many of us can assure you, based on personal experience, that it doesn’t work in the long term. You may feel a few moments of distraction, numbness, or fantasy that replace your focus. But by the time you’re finished with them, these avenues of escape are often pathways of disguised destruction.

King Solomon is the perfect case study for today’s devotional. Our verse today points out that no matter what he grasped for, including what he worked hard to accomplish, it came up empty for him. Solomon observed, “…indeed all was vanity and grasping after the wind.” He had the opportunity to examine many roads that led to the same dead end.

Solomon explored virtually every avenue of earthly satisfaction available to a king, but none of it gave him long-term satisfaction, joy, or fulfillment. He had wisdom, wealth, influence, and the opportunity to leverage them to appease all his desires.

His position, gifts, resources, and time opened up the opportunity to pursue pleasure, laughter, wine, grand projects, possessions, entertainment, and practically every measure of human accomplishment available in his era (Ecclesiastes 2:1-10). He opened the door to whatever his eyes desired, but time and time again King Solomon crashed into the same dead ends (Ecclesiastes 2:10). Today’s verse echoes the fruit of that experiment. As it states, “There was no profit under the sun.”

Our dead-end roads don’t all look the same as King Solomon’s. Our most prominent ones have overlap, but when we think about it, they aren’t so far off that the lessons don’t apply. We often find ourselves chasing relationships, money, careers, entertainment, social media, sex, status, and fame. Many of these are not intrinsically sinful. Some of these desires concern good things God may give according to His wisdom and timing; others become sinful according to how we pursue or use them. We may think we know what’s best for us, but He knows what we genuinely need, in an eternal context, for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

It’s when we abuse these potentially enjoyable gifts outside of God’s timing or pursue them excessively, prematurely, or in an idolatrous way that they pose a threat to us. We cannot allow these kinds of gifts to become our gods (Matthew 6:21).

Application

In Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, it reads, “24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?” Every good and perfect gift is from God (James 1:17).

But we must remember not only are they God’s gifts, but the ability to enjoy them is also a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Notice that none of them are a guarantee. If they disproportionately divert our focus from God in a way that opens the door to idolatry, it’s pivotal that we change course immediately.

Another glance at today’s quote gives us a clear pathway to keep things in perspective. It’s through experience, learning from others’ mistakes, or most likely a combination of both, that we come to recognize how insatiable the appetites of the flesh can be (Galatians 5:16-17). That’s when we have room to take it a step further and realize C. S. Lewis is spot on. The world doesn’t satisfy anyone in the big picture. Some are unbelievers chasing their next escape in their relentless pursuit of happiness, whatever that may represent. Others are believers who know the truth, but succumb to similar patterns from time to time, forgetting that there is no greater satisfaction than Jesus Christ.

The reality is we weren’t meant to find fulfillment in the temporary, fleeting distractions this world offers (1 John 2:15-17). How can we expect to satisfy an eternal hunger with temporary things? In John 6:35 it reads, “35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” Why do we look any further than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to supply us with everything we need?

Occupying the missing puzzle piece of our hearts with escapes that offer dead ends is a fool’s errand. The best we can do is take inventory today. What road have you traveled on lately? Is that road taking you closer to Jesus Christ and the eternal victory He has already won for you, or is it taking you closer to your next dead end?

I assure you, my friends, the only answer to complete joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ. Enjoy everything else with open hands, willing to sacrifice what is necessary for God’s glory and receive what He desires to give in His time (1 Timothy 6:17).

At the end of our lives, we won’t look back and regret all those times we pursued the will of God. We’ll look back and wonder why we didn’t do it with greater urgency, genuine purpose, and steadfast perseverance in every season (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Thank God, if you’re reading this now, you have time to turn things around. Don’t chase those dead ends that have already burned you. 

Seek God, seek Jesus Christ, seek the Holy Spirit. Ask God to direct your steps so that you can avoid giving yourself over to the temptations and traps that seek to draw you away from Him (James 1:14-15). It’s infinitely better to embrace the loving call of our Lord instead; He is the only Way forward to eternal success (John 6:44; John 14:6).

Finally, don’t worry about timing. It’s a breath of fresh air when we await God’s timing. With eternity in mind, we know in our hearts that there’s more to life than our brief span here on earth (James 4:14). We can rest assured that while we cannot understand an infinite God with our finite minds, He is faithful to His promises. God doesn’t change His mind like we do (Numbers 23:19-20). Whatever doesn’t make sense now can still be entrusted to the God who sees the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:9-10). Trust God. Trust His process. Trust His timing. Trust His Word.

“11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for Your loving guidance. There are so many distractions in the world we live in. I have found myself succumbing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life in various seasons of my life. I know You’ve seen fit to give me multiple chances to confess my sins, ask for forgiveness, and walk the path of repentance as You cleanse me of all unrighteousness.

Thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit and blessing me with Your peace that transcends all understanding. Please help me to remember dead-end roads are unwise to begin, let alone continue. Please help me to identify them quickly and break free before a foothold or a stronghold takes root.

Please bless my brothers and sisters in Christ who take the time to read today’s devotional. I know that as I wrote it, and look back on what I believe You inspired me to share, I need to hear and apply it as much as anyone else. Thank You for the numerous gifts You’ve given me. Thank You for the time to share them and to spread Your Word in truth and love.

Thank You for calling me to the task of serving others and abiding in You so that I may produce good fruit in this ministry, my family, my church, and wherever You place me in life. I am far from perfect, and like Paul, I don’t consider myself having obtained anything close to completion. 

I am thankful that You saw it fit to use me despite my shortcomings, and I pray that shows others how You can use anyone You desire to serve You. In fact, when those of us who may seem less likely are utilized, it points back to how all the glory truly belongs to You.

Please help us all maintain an eternal mindset, thirst for righteousness, and a desire to remain steadfast in accomplishing Your will. Thank You for supplying all my needs and beyond as You see fit to accomplish Your will.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.

– Victor Nunez