Meaning In Our Toil

If you follow the life of Solomon it is intriguing to say the least to watch his passion poured out into his first book (Song of Solomon), then his wisdom released in the writings of Proverbs. So then what happens by the time he writes the book Ecclesiastes. The theme of passion and love for life found in Song of Solomon is lost to the wondering and de-spirited moans of "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.

Solomon had the best job in all the land. He was the king. No one's job trumped that of the job of Solomon but somewhere along the line Solomon loses focus. Somewhere the kingdom and his job became less about a service to the people in which he ruled to a means to satisfy the emptiness of his own soul. In his own testimony in Chapter two of Ecclesiastes he confesses to his own selfishness and self satisfying of all his toil and efforts. "I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them." And the list of projects goes on and on who's aim was to satisfy his own hungers and needs. Not houses built for the poor and destitute in the land. Not vineyards and parks to feed the hungry. All his toil was spent on his own lostness.

What about our toil. It is funny how in seasons of my own life and ministry I find myself lost and seeking for meaning in what I do. My focus can so easily become on meeting my own needs of feeling important, valued, or needed. Every time I start living out of that I feel my soul slip into the same world Solomon's did, "Meaningless, Meaningless, everything is meaningless!"

What I have found answers the cry of our heart for meaning in our toil is the same thing Solomon knew but had lost connection to. It is his own words of Chapter 3 vss. 24 & 25, "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment." The wisdom of this scripture is deep and can be missed if you read it flat. Here is what it is saying. Working on behalf of others can be satisfying in moments but will still not satisfy your soul. Connection to God that gives satisfaction can satisfy in moments but does not by itself satisfy your soul. Now before you hang me for heresy, hear me out. The satisfaction God intends for you through your toil is both!!!! It is a deep connection to God that satisfy's your soul and a focus on his purposes that will always make your toil not about how much money you make but how much what you do focuses on the lives of others.

You need compensated for your work. You are not a slave. But the minute your focus comes about building more houses and parks for yourself is the minute you find yourself at the end of the string holding on with one hand wondering how you fell so far from joy. It is not the position you have that satisfies. Remember Solomon had the best position in all the kingdom. It is not about how many hours you volunteer to good causes. It is not about how much time you spend reading scripture. It is about how much connectivity to the God of the Universe that alone can lead you to satisfaction through a life of purpose and meaning founded in him and extended to others. Instead of switching from job to job in a desperate hunt for meaning why not rethinking why you do what you do, and how you do what you do. And have that conversation with God.