Life

A lion is the king of the jungle—an amazing creature demonstrating power and agility. But a dead lion loses his roar. Solomon says that a live dog is better off. Life provides opportunity. We could say it this way, life gives us the opportunity to die well. 

We live in a world that doesn’t make sense because this is not the way it’s supposed to be. Life “under the sun” is confusing. Throughout our study of Ecclesiastes, we have learned that there are things we will never understand.

It is Jesus alone that brings life to our souls and our minds. Read his Word. Listen to the hope that he brings. When our focus is on our newsfeed instead of Jesus, we will become weary of life.

God, what are you doing? What are you waiting for? Why won’t you bring justice today? What’s taking so long? Have you ever asked any of those questions, or maybe all those questions?

The seasons of life are threaded together by high times and hard times. The great joys that come with relationships, weddings, and a baby’s entrance into the world, are woven together with low times. Broken relationships lead to broken hearts. Death of dreams disappoints.

We often think of our lives in periods of time. There were elementary, middle school, and high school years. We think of our college years and when we first started our careers. We think of life in terms of places we have lived, before and after marriage, before and after kids. There are high times—the birth of children and grandchildren.

The cycle of life keeps us moving forward. Recently I saw a picture of our children when they ranged in age from two to preteen. I lived through that time. I experienced it in real life. But I can hardly remember what it was like. Life is elusive. Time keeps moving forward.

Paul writes that if God isn’t who he says he is, and this life is all there is, then by all means, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). But Solomon found that hedonism was like chasing after the wind. The target of satisfaction was never hit because God is who he says he is, and this life is not all there is. 

Under the umbrella of naturalism is atheism (there is no God), materialism (satisfy yourself with things), and humanism (man is the center of the universe). And, of course, from this mindset flows evolution, abortion, and euthanasia. Man can do whatever man wants to do because we are the ones in charge.