The richest man on earth at the time, the wisest man on earth ever, one who had seemed to have it all said: "Vanity of vanities...all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Have you come across this verse before?
In the midst of two wars (Russia-Ukraine and now Israel and Palestine) don't you get the feeling that we all the way out here in the United States are oblivious to the pain and suffering going on right now in the world? People are dying by the hundreds, families torn apart and separated perhaps forever, millions being displaced from their homes, hunger, diseases, natural disasters... yet in the United States and many other places in the world companies are in a rampant advertisement era. Media channels focusing on the latest fashion trend and the dress a celebrity wore in the red carpet. Tons of videos showing you "how to get rich" and constant empty TV productions. People worrying for getting the latest phone and getting tons of social media likes... One can but wonder, what is going on?
Solomon wrote it best: "vanity of vanities, all is vanity". One of my favorite actors said it differently: "I wish everyone would become rich and famous so they know is not the answer" (quote by Jim Carrey). Friend, what Solomon and Jim realized is that EVERYTHING this world has to offer, EVERYTHING, means nothing. The only being that can permanently affect change in the human heart, the only being that can make life mean something is Jesus, God. Not too long ago I heard from a Pastor something like this: "We are all looking for Jesus, some of us just don't know it yet". Pornography, sex, drugs, alcoholism, workaholic-ism, violence, gluttony... all these things are the result of human being attempting to fill a void in our souls that God can only permanently fill. We all go after "worldly pleasures" to try and gain that feeling of satisfaction that only Jesus can permanently instill in our hearts.
Solomon understood this and hence called everything that surrounded him, the palaces, the gold, the castles, the kingdom, the comfy bed, the nice clothes... all vanity. Not only vanity, but vanity that destroys just as it is doing today. The world in chaos, and media channels filled with... vanities. Remember, only Jesus in the heart can create a permanent, positive change in the human heart and mind.
Food for thought...
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