Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.
2/7/2024
Ecclesiastes 2:1-23 (CSB)
"I said to myself, 'Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.' But it turned out to be futile."
King Solomon, the epitome of wisdom and wealth, stands before us in Ecclesiastes, not with a crown of triumph, but with a weary sigh. He had it all – unimaginable riches, the respect of nations, the honor of building God's temple. Yet, the hollowness in his heart echoed louder than any fanfare.
Driven by a yearning for meaning, Solomon embarked on a grand experiment. He indulged in pleasures, chased after wisdom, and undertook ambitious projects. Laughter, wine, music, gardens – he embraced them all, hoping to find fulfillment in their fleeting embrace. But like smoke, they dissipated, leaving behind only ashes of disappointment.
His words resonate across millennia, a stark warning against the allure of temporary pleasures. Our culture, much like Solomon's, chases after fleeting highs, mistaking them for true fulfillment. We crave the next thrill, the next acquisition, the next validation, believing they will finally fill the void.
But Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, offers a different path. He concludes that true meaning lies not in chasing the wind, but in aligning ourselves with God's will. It's in surrendering our desires to a purpose greater than ourselves, in living a life that transcends the fleeting pleasures of this world.
This doesn't mean renouncing all joy. Rather, it's about finding joy in the right places – in the connection with something bigger, in the service of others, in the pursuit of what truly matters. It's about recognizing that the deepest satisfaction comes not from what we possess, but from how we live.
So, let us take a page from Solomon's book, not of his misguided pursuits, but of his ultimate realization. Let us step off the treadmill of chasing smoke and embrace the path of purpose, where true joy and lasting meaning await.
Bishop Houston’s Contemplation:

• What are the "pleasures" you chase in your life? Do they bring lasting satisfaction, or are they fleeting?
• What does it mean to align your life with God's will? How can you start doing that today?

What are some sources of true joy and meaning in your life? How can you nurture them?
Beloved, remember, the path to fulfillment may not be the easiest, but it's the one that leads to a life truly worth living.
To God Be The Glory!