Read Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
We all die. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Does that give us the okay to live our lives in foolish ways? Solomon seemed to think so, not realizing that God watches how we live our lives. All the choices we make in life help shape the people we become.
Fools do walk in the dark. Or should I say those that walk in the dark are fools? What does it even mean to walk in the dark? We are in the dark when we don’t have the truth in our lives. If we’re groping around in the dark, how do we find the light switch? To find the light, we need to find Jesus who is the light.
We’re discovering that while brilliant because of the wisdom God granted him, Solomon didn’t have the whole story. He didn’t know about God’s saving grace, wrapped up in Jesus Christ, our Savior. It’s hard to imagine a world without Jesus, even if we cannot see him.
We see the slippery slope into darkness and foolishness for those who don’t know Jesus. There are still plenty of people alive today who don’t know Jesus or realize that he is more than just a great prophet. Jesus is the one who rescues us from darkness into the light of salvation.
We will die, but when we know Jesus we don’t have to fear the unknown. It will be glorious. Jesus said so and has left to prepare a place for us. His disciples wished they could go with him or at least know where Jesus was going. “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:2-4) Jesus is coming back for us!
Jesus goes on to tell us in John’s gospel that he is the only way to the Father. It’s one of the memory verses I’ve taught the girls at the orphanage. How precious it is to hear such a great promise in Spanish! I literally had tears in my eyes when I heard a darling little 5-year-old boldly state that truth with a smile from ear to ear. “Yo soy el camino, la verdad, y la vida,” le contesto Jesus, “nadie llega al Padre sino por mi.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the truth (la verdad) we can always depend on!
Solomon didn’t know Jesus. No wonder he was feeling so at odds with life. I’m sure there are people today, lost in the darkness, who would agree with Solomon when he said, “So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling.” If that statement troubles you as much as it troubles me, then let’s stand on the truth and help others find Jesus.
Let’s pray. Lord, I am in awe of you and all you have done. You know how lost your people were before you sent Jesus. I know there are so many troubled people in our world today. Many of those same people are still lost and distant from you. Help me to shine my light so they can see the hope, love, and mercy you offer. May all I say and do be honoring to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
