Men search for Significance

“There are three tenses to a person’s life: What he is, what he has become, and what he is becoming.” (Aristotle)

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” (William James)

I love to read the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. But my favorite is the Book of Ecclesiastes. Song of Songs is at the bottom of the lists (Though it is an interesting book to read!). These three books historically attributed to King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. But do you notice how these books parallel to King Solomon’s life?

Song of Songs was written when Solomon early in his life was full of youthful passion, as John Piper puts it, “…a dramatic celebration of the romantic love between a man and a woman.” Then Proverbs was written based on when Solomon in his midlife had learned much about the important of choices, good and bad, and being wise. Finally, Ecclesiastes was composed when Solomon in later life had discovered the bitterness of empty pursuits, and the high price of ‘chasing after the wind’ of useless pursuits.

In today’s book of pursuit life, one of the most effective tools to distract, to disable and to destroy men to the never ending desire for significance is the phrase “If only...”

“If only I could get a high Master PhD, then I’m on my way”

“If only I could find a job, then I’d have status and worth”

“If only I could have a girl/boyfriend get married and have a family, then I’d be truly happy.”

“If only I could win the lottery, then I’d be set for life.”

“If only…. bla bla bla…”

Most people don’t know what they want, but it is something different from what they have. King Solomon the wisest, the richest, the most successful, the most married, the most almost-everything in the Bible repeatedly with a disappointed voice (as I imagine he must be) said, “It is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.” Purpose and meaning can never be found in the ‘If only’ or anywhere else. Maybe that’s why at the end of Solomon’s long lecture about the meaningless of life concludes with these words, “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The hymn writer put it this way, I quotes;

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” 

Where can we find the meaning of life? In whom or what we should look for significance in the pursuit of life? It is in the Giver of Life himself – God who is the Creator ‘of heavens and earth’. (Genesis 1:1) Let your search end with Jesus Christ, and you will never be disappointed. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.