Looking for Satisfaction
I (Solomon) said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)
One of my guilty pleasures is every once in a while, I take a virtual tour of houses for sale directly across the street from the ocean in Cape May, New Jersey. In fact, they are more like mansions than houses. I like to image what it would be like to live in one and every morning drink my coffee watching the ocean. I smile when I think about reading my Bible, sitting on the porch, looking up now and then to watch for dolphins. Then I snap back to reality, knowing some things will only ever be a brief, fun fantasy.
King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived and he was also blessed with wealth and power. Studying and exploring were passions of his, and Ecclesiastes 2 tells us he indulged in the world’s pleasures. So we might expect him to be content, but the satisfaction Solomon sought evaded him.
The king also tried to find contentment through personal achievement. He successfully built houses, improved the environment with gardens and parks, and many other things. Though he seemed to have everything needed to enjoy life, Solomon found it all pointless.
The story has a familiar ring, doesn’t it? Our world has many educated and successful people, but dissatisfaction with life is an all too common problem. Our culture enthusiastically pursues pleasure, accomplishments and possessions, without finding joy and contentment.
Solomon had the wisdom and resources to accomplish anything he wanted, but nothing brought lasting satisfaction—except God. True joy comes through our loving relationship with God, when we seek to align ourselves with His will for us. Any other way will eventually prove to be meaningless, leaving us with a gnawing feeling of dissatisfaction.
Dear God, when the things of this world look so attractive that they threaten to pull our hearts away from You, remind us that You are the Source of our deepest joy and true satisfaction. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen