Stop Chasing The Wind

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. _{Ecclesiastes 2:11}

The writer of Ecclesiastes, referred to as the Preacher, toiled for years, decades even, building houses, planting vineyards, creating gardens and parks with every kind of fruit tree, and buying vast quantities of herds and flocks. He had a wealth of possessions and gathered for himself silver and gold and the treasure of kings ^(2:8). He had everything and yet he says, behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind.

In psalm 73, Asaph wondered what he too was striving after, and like many still today, he questioned, ‘have I lived my life in vain?’ He had toiled, but what had he gain?

“When I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God.” _{Psalm 73:16}

The presence of God changes everything. In His presence we find our strength, our hope and our purpose. In His presence we find the assurance that our life is never lived in vain when we live it for him.

Therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. _{1 Corinthians 15:58}

What are you toiling for – earthly gain or heavenly gain? Choose wisely, for with the first, there is nothing to be gained under the sun, but with the second, there is everything to be gained through the Son.