Meaningless?

It's been kind of a tough time recently.  Largely self-inflicted, really... not thinking in helpful ways about things, and not holding tightly enough to the Promises that I so dearly need to cling to (and for which this blog is named!).

Anyway.  So, you might think from this, that starting a series on Ecclesiastes (with its catch-cry of "everything is vanity/meaningless") an odd choice.  But on the weekend, I did just that, and started listening to Matt Chandler's series on this book.  Fantastic.  I'm a bit of a fan of Matt's.  He typically gives solid, Biblical teaching, and is passionate and engaging.  He spoke about how Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, explored all avenues for pleasure and fulfilment... and had spectacular resources for doing so - greater riches, wisdom and opportunity than any of us will ever have!  He explored seeking satisfaction in parties, women, riches, investing in home and garden (except his "garden" was basically a forest. Why bother with a vegie patch when you can have a forest?!)... et cetera.  But when he got to the end of it all, found that it was all meaningless, or a "vapour".  Temporary and unable to provide lasting joy.

Here's a little of what Matt said:

Ten years ago, you had in your mind this picture of what you wanted life to look like ten years from now, and you thought if you could obtain it, or get to it, you would be happy and satisfied.  The last ten years, you have put all your energy – and whether you did this consciously or subconsciously, you did this.  Most of you thought: “if I could get out of school, if I could get a good job, if I could find my husband or wife, if I could have children, if I could make enough money to go on vacation, if I could get a car that actually ran half the time… if I could get this, if I could do this…"  And you begin to work that ten-year plan.  Now, the reality is, if you’ve met those goals, you probably don’t even know it, because you’ve already replaced that ten-year plan with the new ten-year plan, because what you thought would satisfy you, has not.  So what happens is you work the next ten-year plan, and then you work the next ten-year plan, and then you work the next ten-year plan, and then you will die, and get painted up like a clown and put in the ground.  That’s it.  And almost all of us, whether we’ll admit it or not, have bought into the philosophy that what we need to finally make us happy is more of what we already possess. 

 Wow.  There's some real, painful truth in there.  And if this is where you stop, it could actually be pretty depressing!  Chasing things that - although they may be good things; great things, even - don't give us lasting joy and life.  And (as we were reminded tonight at church in looking at Hebrews 3 and 4), not a single one of us can cheat death.  Dying is inevitable for all of us, and we'll have to leave behind all we sought and worked for in this life.  

But there is hope.  It's Jesus, and what he did on the cross to conquer death and sin, and give us eternal life.  And he's the only one who gives meaning to all our toil and the things of earth.  They are a vapour, but they point to one who is permanent and forever.

Our challenge is to not be fooled by the busyness of life, and our explicit or subconscious Ten Year Plans...  to not be so caught up on the treadmill of life that we forget that we're not actually going anywhere with all our toil and our seeking... but that only Jesus takes us where we need to go.

That sound, it’s hypnotic.  If I put on my headphones, I can almost pretend I’m not on the treadmill at all.  It can maybe, just for a few minutes, make me forget that even though I’m running, I’m not going anywhere.  Here’s the bottom line.  You can take that step or you can let the treadmill continue to hypnotise you into thinking that your life is forward-progress.  But in the end, there is nothing under the sun that brings lasting fulfilment.  You have to look beyond the sun.  The groove cannot be filled with the temporal.  It has to be eternal.  And the invitation from Jesus continues to echo through eternity.  Come and thirst no more.

Turns out a reflection on the "meaninglessness", or rather the temporariness, of the things of this life (even the good things), and the eternal hope and pleasure and joy that is found in Jesus, was just what this momentarily-despairing young woman needed!  And ultimately, what we all need.

God is good.

Music Monday #3

This is Passenger. A now one-man band, comprised of singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg. My brother (who has varied and very cool taste in music!) introduced me to Passenger, and I haven't been able to turn him off since. He writes beautiful, simple, soul-searching songs.

It's a funny thing, falling in love with the music of a secular artist like this. As a Christian, there isn't a single part of life that is outside of the glorious truth of Jesus; and outside of his loving rule. Not a single thought, anxiety or desire that floats around in my mind is outside the ocean that is his grace. (At least, this is the reality, and by his grace, I'm becoming oh-so-slowly more aware of it in the messiness of each day!) And in our universal quest for meaning, love and significance, only in Jesus do we find that which we seek.

I think it's this that makes Passenger's music simultaneously so engaging, joyful and sad.

Engaging, because he handles the precious medium of music with such sincerity and love. And, even more than that, he explores the questions, sorrows and thoughts of the human heart. He sings about life, love and the things we all seek and ponder as part of our human lives. We can't help but relate, at least at certain points. Some sentiments in this song (and others of his) make me smile, ache and cry with the depth to which they resonate with my heart.

Joyful. There's truth in many of his thoughts and observations. Amongst others:

A sense of value in selflessness...

Give what you're given.

Pondering misplaced values and what we consider important...

We all had new iPhones, but no one had no one to call.

And joyful because the incredible combination of music, words, the human heart and mind, and the ability to question and search and love... it's all from God. This man was made in God's image and given unique gifts. God even created the spectacular backdrop for this performance, with the field stretching into the distance, the sun, shadows, sky, clouds and gentle breeze. God has made humankind, music and our world just beautiful, and there's so much to celebrate.

Yet there's sadness. There's so much that's searching for something more, something beyond this life... to align his journey with someone going the right direction. I'll stick out my thumb and trudge down the highway - someday, someone must be going my way home. For all the human thoughts and longings he explores, he never arrives at the Answer his heart is seeking. He never celebrates and sings of the One who gave him his gifts; who created and sustains him.

Don't cry for the lost, smile for the living.

 I wonder who the "lost" are, according to this song? Maybe it's those who are constantly chasing material things or success, those tied down by mortgages and loans, those who don't take the time to "explore themselves", maybe travel, fall in love, to really "live" and experience life, love, the world and all it's pleasures. I wonder...

But what I do know is Jesus, and how he has actually provided the definition for these terms. Through his death and resurrection, he has given all who trust in him new life, and life eternal. By his grace alone, they are the living. And those who pursue life their own way, pursue life apart from him, are the lost. And this saddens God, and it should sadden us. I think we can cry for the lost... and let this spur us on to speak about Jesus - the only one in whom we can find hope, love and salvation.

Just some thoughts. If you haven't heard this beautiful song before, I hope you like it!

Who do you like to listen to?

Resolved to Blog Better (for the 374th time.)

There's been a lot of talk about blogging happening lately!  And secretly (or not so secretly), I've loved every minute and every comment of it.  Dave has returned to his blog with a vengeance, after a 2-year hiatus, and has been seeking helpful hints from blog-writing and -reading friends as to what makes a good blog.  There have been some great suggestions from lots of people, including Nathan and his blog, Julie and a few others.

Anyway.  Having all these fantastic people around me blogging, and talking about it, means that I definitely feel newly inspired, and a little better equipped, to retry this thing.  I seem to spend so much of life resolving to do so many things better and more faithfully that I seem to fail at the vast majority of it...  Sigh.  But let's put that unhelpful attitude aside and power on!!

Out of all the good advice, here's just a few of the points I'm going to focus on (and if you're a struggling blogger, maybe helpful for you too?)

1.  Post often.  Since I'm guessing "often" is more than once every 2 months, I should be able to improve in this area without too much effort.

2.  Be concise.  Hmm.  Check out my last post, if you dare.  Loved writing it and reflecting on YNET (such a good weekend!)... but I possibly have scope for improvement in this area.  Noted.

3.  Feel free to write about silly things.  I think this one is pretty freeing.  It's a great thing to want to put significant stuff out there, and to contribute something thought-provoking and edifying to the blog-world.  But it can actually start to feel crippling...  there can be a genuine fear in posting anything, in case it's just not worthwhile or thought-provoking enough to be blogged about, let alone maybe read by others.   

OK.  I'll stop at three.  That's enough to work on.  (And I'm working on number 2 already.  Yessss.)

One of my favourite comments over all this blogscussion was from one of my favourite bloggers.  "Write often and your voice will become stronger and truer. Plus, words breed words. The more we discuss, the more we find there IS to discuss."  I just love this, and the truth in it.

Happy blogging everyone!  I'm excited!! 

leunig.com.au

P.S.  Oh, and yes.  I have just learnt how to link to other blogs and pages.  
Too much of a good thing? ;)