I've really been struggling with what it is that I am supposed to do with my life at the moment. So the place to look for encouragement is Ecclesiastes, right? If you have 20 minutes, I'd take the time and read through the whole book. I've listed some particular verses that stuck out to me just now, and may offer a few comments.
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 1:8
For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 1:18
There is so much truth in this statement for my life in the past couple of months. There is certainly something to be said for remaining naive to how the world works, be it in sickness, death, pain, loss, disappointment. . . the more you know does not mean you will be a happier person.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 3:11
I am so thankful for this. If this were the end, I would be done. I don't know what heaven is like, but I know my task here is to do God's work and make disciples for him.
I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. 3:14-15
At least I don't have to rely on just me. I'd be doomed.
And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. 4:2-3
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 4:9-12
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. 5:18-20
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. 7:10
The question "How did I get here from there?" has been pestering me. It's an empty pursuit.
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. 7:20-22
This is hard, especially when there are people you look up to and you forget that they are people, they are fallible. On the other side, it makes you think about how much you've failed other people and missed opportunities to defend rather than go with the audience on a matter.
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. 9:7-10
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. 11:4
Don't let circumstances keep you from working.
So Solomon's last statement is the charge against being idle, and is the best life advice:
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. 12:12-14
Fear God and keep His commandments. . . it's always troublesome when a few words carry so much weight. It makes perfect sense- God knows everything anyway, He knows how it is going to turn out, so why do we let ourselves by paralyzed? What do we really have to fear?
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