Chasing After the Wind

By Jenna Blaak

Over the last year and a half or so, I have been contemplating my life, my job, my relationships, pretty much everything. God had me read through Ecclesiastes which, if you've read the first sentences, you know does not start out as a very uplifting book. Somehow though, I felt hopeful just knowing that the Teacher (believed to be King Solomon, known for his wisdom) also wrestled with the same question of "what is the point of it all?" To which he concludes that "everything is meaningless" and we're "chasing after the wind".

Where I begin to feel hopeful however, is the point where he begins to explain that even though none of this is forever, everything has a place and a time, and everything and every blessing is beautiful in its own time.

I will have a few articles written on Ecclesiastes in the near future, but I feel compelled to share these small thoughts now because I believe that while we have an appetite for purpose, the simple meal served to us isn't always seen as sufficient. Or maybe it's unbelievable that the answer could be so easy.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 the Teacher says "A person can do nothing better than to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see is from the hand of God. For without Him, who can eat and find enjoyment?" In that verse, we have a piece of our answer, it's to enjoy everything that we do. Not just try to enjoy life on our own, we are meant to enjoy our lives with God. As the teacher says, we can't find enjoyment without Him. We can't find fulfillment or satisfaction without God.

Finding satisfaction only in worldy things is just chasing after the wind. Nothing in this world will last. Everything will come and then go just as quickly. But an experience that is rooted in the goodness of God is worth every moment.

If you are like me and you've wondered why any of it matters, I'll tell you, it's because God makes everything beautiful in it's time. He made you in this time, for this time. You exist and therefore, you get to enjoy the presence of God. You get to experience His blessings, you get to participate in the story that He is writing for the world.

I believe that I will soon tackle the themes of Ecclesiastes and have them out to you soon, but the first thing that I want to leave you with is that there is a reason for you to be here and to do what you do. I mean in the way of your work, hobbies, quiet time, social time, activity, all of it and it's simple; you are made to enjoy the pleasure of being alive and living in the Lord's presence. So do yourself and favour. Just enjoy.