How Would I Live If the Titles of My Life Were Stripped Away?
We all have an invisible notecard that highlights our priorities. And we all make decisions based on what we value most.
Yesterday, we looked at the seeming worthlessness of life as outlined by the ancient author of Ecclesiastes in Chapter 1. Turning to Chapter 2, we see a completely different side of this author. He writes,
4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.
"Nothing to be gained under the sun."
These are the words of a man who has everything but feels like he has nothing. His words should serve as a wake-up call for us today.
The luxury of living in a prosperous society is that we can spend decades focused on things that don’t matter. It’s only when a crisis rocks our worlds that our safe little bubble pops.
All we once thought was sturdy starts to wobble, and these crisis moments become life-defining turning points that spur us to fresh action. Sometimes, they arrive late in life after we have already made a series of unfortunate turns. When this happens, we add our names to the list of people who reflect on their lives with regret.
So, how do we pivot? How do we avoid living a life of distraction and build a life that counts?
