WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU?

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU?

The sage, King Solomon, penned something that sounds entirely pessimistic: “Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)  Solomon’s statement suggests that at its core, life can feel rather hollow, laborious and unfulfilling.  The tone of Ecclesiastes seemed to be so focused on negativity that it nearly failed to make into the canonized volume of The Holy Writ.

Although life can be a truly positive and productive experience, Solomon was merely stating the obvious fact that the frantic pursuit of temporal success, the passionate embrace of all things material, can only result in frustration, disappointment, and in some cases deep despair.

For example, Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world, yet he was on the brink of suicide.  At the pinnacle of success, he remarked, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player.  I was rich.  I had all the material possessions I needed.  It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide.  They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy.  I had no inner peace.  I was a puppet on a string.”

Unfortunately Becker is not the only one to experience that deep sense of emptiness.  The emotional ripples of a superficial and unsatisfying life seem to pervade our society.  Jack Higgens, acclaimed author of “The Eagle Has Landed,” was asked what he would like to have known as a little boy.  His response was striking and informative: “That when you get to the top, there's nothing there.”

My friend, if you are in the frenetic pursuit of acquiring more-and-more in life, perhaps you should redirect your thinking and give serious consideration to the things that are eternal.  Consider the words of the Apostle James: “For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)  Therefore, according to the Apostle Paul, you should “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)  FOCUS.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!