When I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:11
In 2010, James Ward, the creator of the blog “I Like Boring Things,” launched a conference called the “Boring Conference.” It’s a one-day celebration of the mundane, the ordinary, and the overlooked. In the past, speakers have addressed seemingly meaningless topics like sneezing, sounds that vending machines make, and inkjet printers of 1999. Ward knows the topics may be boring, but the speakers can take a mundane subject and make it interesting, meaningful, and even joyful.
Several millennia ago, Solomon, the wisest of kings, launched his own search for joy in the meaningless and mundane. He pursued work, bought flocks, built wealth, acquired singers, and constructed buildings (Ecclesiastes 2:4–9). Some of these pursuits were honorable and some were not. Ultimately, in his pursuit of meaning, the king found nothing but boredom (v. 11). Solomon maintained a worldview that didn’t press beyond the limits of human experience to include God. Ultimately, however, he realized that he’d find joy in the mundane only when he remembered and worshiped God (12:1–7).
When we find ourselves in the whirlwind of tedium, let’s launch our own daily mini-conference, as we “remember [our] Creator” (v. 1)—the God who fills the mundane with meaning. As we remember and worship Him, we’ll find wonder in the ordinary, gratitude in the mundane, and joy in the seemingly meaningless things of life.
Read: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (NIV)
Pleasures Are Meaningless
2 1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasurew to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.
2 “Laughter,”x I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?”
3 I tried cheering myself with wine,y and embracing follyz—my mind still guiding me with wisdom.
I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myselfa and planted vineyards.b
5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slavesc who were born in my house.
I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8 I amassed silver and goldd for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.e
I acquired male and female singers,f and a harema as well—the delights of a man’s heart.
9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalemg before me.h In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;i
nothing was gained under the sun.j
INSIGHT
- Why is it so hard to find meaning in things that can never satisfy?
- How do you need to reprioritize your commitment to and worship of God so you can find your meaning in Him?
The book of Ecclesiastes was most likely written by Solomon; the author is said to be the son of David (1:1) and king of Israel (v. 12). This is significant because as king, Solomon had access to everything he needed to conduct his “experiment” of finding meaning by pursuing the things that humans desire the most (2:1–11). Additionally, throughout this search for meaning and despite indulging in worldly pleasures, he notes that he was still being guided by wisdom (vv. 3, 9). We’re told he was the wisest person to have ever lived (see 1 Kings 3:11–12).
PRAYER
God, take the unremarkable moments of my life and infuse them with Your joy and wonder. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 34-36; Hebrews 2
