11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
I love reading the book of Ecclesiastes and have for many years. All is vanity! Nothing is permanent, not wealth, not happiness, not even our earthly existence. This particular passage reminds us the more we have the more we want, and we are never satisfied if we are placing our faith in earthly things to give us happiness. It might give us temporary pleasure, but not true happiness. It is only our faith in Jesus and the promise of eternal life and love that can fill our hearts with joy.
So many times we might try to fill a void in our life with things. We might even use people to fill a void although we might not be aware of it. If we turn to alcohol or drugs, we know we are going in a wrong direction, but if our problem is eating or shopping or playing games, or gambling we might not recognize what we are really doing. When we are greedy for the wrong thing, we can never have enough. I remember seeing a movie where the main female character is always hungry. Even after a meal, she wants more. Towards the end of the movie when she realizes she is loved, she can stop. It is only when we realize that only God and his love for us will fill the void in our hearts that we can feel fulfilled. There are people who collect art, or books, or musical instruments, not to display them or use them, but just to know that they have them. Great art should be put out for others to admire. Books are written to be read. Musical instruments are nothing unless they are being played.
May we enjoy our lives, take pleasure and fulfillment in the work that we do, and know that it is God’s love that brings us true happiness and joy.
Loving God, you love us beyond our comprehension. May we find true happiness in this love and give you all of our love in return. Amen.
