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[CHASING THE WIND]SEARCHING FOR THE MEANING O F L I F E I N E C C L E S I A S T E S

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g the windIt is such a joy and privilege to be able to study a book of the bible with you. I am thankful for your thirst for the Word and your passion for Jesus.

The book of Ecclesiastes is the perfect study for us in our culture, in this time (as it is for all cultures and times as “there is nothing new under the sun”). Ecclesiastes systematically removes each card from our delusional, man-made house of cards until it leaves us with nothing “under the sun”. It reveals life apart from God as what it is: meaningless, chasing the wind. Life apart from God becomes, as Kreeft put it, “a wild-goose chase with no goose” and an “unmerry merry-go-round”.

So when we are left with nothing “under the sun” our only option is to turn our gaze (and our hearts) “beyond the sun”. Unfortunately the noise of our footsteps created by our meaningless pursuits of meaningless-nesses is enough to drown out any beckoning that might slow us down enough to listen. We need silence. Kierkgaard wrote, “If I could prescribe just one remedy for all the ills of the modern world, I would prescribe silence. For even if the word of God were proclaimed in our modern world, no one would hear it.” Ecclesiastes creates silence.We will see in our pursuit for the meaning of life that we must find the fountain - the source - of life in order to find the meaning; in order to define our purpose we must go to the Definer to first be defined. Ecclesiastes turns life around in our hands so that we can look closely at each facet: work, sex, money, power, justice, wisdom, relationships, time, youth, worship, and suffering. Do they satisfy? Do they bring joy? What is their use and purpose? And after careful examination, after creating

Paradoxians,

the necessary silence in our heart, soul, and mind, it will be clear that, “the point is simply this...without the kind of faith in God that is larger than life and therefore worth dying for and therefore worth living for, without a faith that means trust and hope and love, without a lived love affair with God, life is vanity of vanities, the shadow of a shadow, a dream within a dream” (Kreeft).

We must drink deep of the Water that satiates the thirst Ecclesiastes creates. Hear the Word that fills the silence it provides. Feel the weight of the Glory of God that is beyond the sun.

My hope is that when we are done we will have a deeper understanding of the Gospel, and a passion and pursuit of Jesus that dwells deep in our church family, for our joy and His glory.

For His Fame,Pastor Jim

*I am thankful for Ezra Boggs’ summary of Ecclesiastes provided here and the great work of Katie Buckel in the design of this booklet. Thank you for serving your church family!

INTRODUCTIONEcclesiastes: One Long Radiohead SongImagine the formula of any VH1 ‘Behind the Music’ episode:

(1) Young talented individual raised in an overtly disparaging environment(2) Works three jobs while attempting to promulgate a music career believing that fame + fortune = endless gratification(3) Gets discovered while playing a 2AM gig while still wearing pizza delivery uniform(4) Goes to Nashville and signs mountains of unread paperwork then records songs(5) Recording does very well…unlimited income…unlimited friends…unlimited temptations…unlimited issues(6) Lifestyle continues to ascend rapidly without restraint until career implodes(7) Individual awakens in the storage room of a pawn shop in Louisiana missing a kidney, one leg, breathing via an oxygen tank, and unexplainable tattoos covering 51% of his epidermis(8) Spends last handful of money on Greyhound ticket back home(9) Reapplies for delivery position at pizzeria

…this is the sobering undertow that permeates the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Bible’s only example of a style of Wisdom Literature of the ancient Near East called ‘pessimism literature’ which dates as far back as 2000 BC in Egypt and Mesopotamia.

“Yet Ecclesiastes is ‘pessimism’ with a difference. For other ‘pessimist’ writings were bleak, sensual and unrelieved by any note of hope. In the Dialogue of Pessimism (a Babylonian work of the fourteenth century BC) suicide is the only answer to the problem of life. In the Epic of Gilgamesh the god Shamash states bluntly ‘The life you pursue you shall not find’. Although Ecclesiastes echoes ancient pessimism, it has another strand which is in marked contrast. For it also holds forth the possibility of joy, faith and assurance of God’s goodness.”[1]

“Qoheleth (Solomon turned preacher) is pessimistic, it is true. But his pessimism is confined to life lived ‘under the sun’. He means by that often-occurring phrase life lived for the here and now with nothing more than worldly goals in view. He understands that life under the sun is life lived under God’s curse with sin and all its consequences. Solomon is genuinely pessimistic about man and his achievements, but supremely optimistic about God and His .” [2] Ecclesiastes is from the Greek ekklesiastes meaning “assembly” or in Hebrew qohelet which literally means “one who assembles.”

This can be interpreted as: (1) “one who collects” wise sayings (cf. 12:9, 10)(2) “one who addresses an assembly,”; a preacher or speaker. The book was written in Hebrew language not normative to the Old Testament, but a vernacular akin to that spoken among the Phoenicians and the people who originally populated the land. Historically, Ecclesiastes authorship is attributed to Solomon based upon internal evidence, which identifies the author as a descendant of David, who ruled in Jerusalem (1:1), was renowned for his wisdom (v. 16), and possessed unparalleled wealth (2:8) which he used in extensive building projects (v. 4–6). However, some scholars have suggested that the work is a product of post-Exilic times and Solomon was not the author. Nevertheless, these very same individuals still assign Solomon as the central figure in the book, used as a literary device to convey a message by an unknown author. Regardless, lack of certainty concerning authorship does not render the work invalid or destroy the canonicity of Ecclesiastes. For the purposes of this writing we’ll recognize the historical perspective with Solomon as the author. Reflected on the phrase “under the sun,” Ecclesiastes is Solomon attempting to define the value of existence, while deliberately disregarding insight provided by special revelation, Solomon’s words throughout Ecclesiastes are limited to mere human reasoning and demonstrate the idolatry and futility of autonomous logic where ‘clay’ attempts to define its function within design without the guidance of the Potter.

A great deal can be understood regarding thematic elements and author’s intent by examining the key words and phrases in Ecclesiastes; these include: Man appears 49 times, from the familiar Hebrew word adam (Genesis 1:26; 2:7, 19) and references man as made from the earth (adama in the Hebrew: Genesis 2:7; 3:19).

Wisdom references appear 44 times, which is to be expected as King Solomon was the wisest of men (1 Kings 4:31). And yet, with his vast knowledge, Solomon concluded, “Fear God, and keep His commandments” (12:13).

God, Elohim [A masculine plural noun which designates the one true God] is found 39 times, while the designation Yahweh never occurs. By contrast, while writing under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Elohim appears five times in Proverbs and Yahweh [the proper covenant name of the God of Israel; the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses] 90 times. Thus, giving evidence that Ecclesiastes was written for a readership within as well as outside Israel. Evil appears 39 times, from the Hebrew word ra‛ / râ‛âh and is also translated “sore” (1:13; 4:8), “hurt” (5:13; 8:9), “mischievous” (10:13), “grievous” (2:17), “adversity” (7:14), “wickedness” (7:15), and “misery” (8:6). It is the opposite of “good”, conveys ‘pain / sorrow / hard circumstances / distress’.Vanity appears 38 times, from the Hebrew word hevel, meaning “emptiness, futility, vapor.” The name “Abel” probably comes from this word (Gen. 4:2). Hevel represents the temporal nature of the twaddle that distracts us throughout a life that is measured as a vapor; it is incorrigibly foolish to spend time worrying about that which disappears quickly, leaves nothing behind, and does not satisfy… all are hevel, all are vanity, all are mere vapor.

THEMES

Labor appears 33 times, from the Hebrew word amal, meaning “to toil to the point of exhaustion and yet experience little or no fulfillment in your work.” In modern English, it is the federal government’s redistribution of wealth plan from hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying ‘rich folk’… excluding George Soros, of course. Fools / Folly references appear 32 times, but my favorite meaning translates,” anyone who steps into a boxing ring with Evander Holyfield and bites his ear.”

Under the sun appears 29 times with the phrase “under heaven” (1:13; 2:3; 3:1). This phrase succinctly defines Solomon’s perspective as he leaned solely on his own understanding in attempting to answer the greater ontological questions of life’s meaning via a limited supply of answers only provided by the senses within the material universe. “It defines the outlook of the writer as he looks at life from a human perspective and not necessarily from heaven’s point of view. He applies his own wisdom and experience to the complex human situation and tries to make some sense out of life. Solomon wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (12:10–11; 2 Tim. 3:16), so what he wrote was what God wanted His people to have. But as we study, we must keep Solomon’s viewpoint in mind: he is examining life ‘under the sun.’”[4] Joy appears 17 times, from multiple Hebrew words, Solomon reproves readers to be levelheaded about life, accept God’s gifts and enjoy what is present rather than carp over all that is missing. Life is short and difficult, so make the most of it while you can.

Profit appears 10 times, from the Hebrew word yitron, used nowhere else in the Old Testament, its basic meaning is “that which is left over.” It may be translated “profit, surplus, advantage, gain.” And serves as the nemesis of “vanity.” Solomon asks, “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (1:3)

But what relevance does Ecclesiastes have for today?

The answer is twofold:

Ecclesiastes addresses topics that we still deal with every minute of every day on this sin-saturated planet. Here are just a few: Injustice to the poor“Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.” (4:1–3) Today, injustice to the poor is endless given man’s depravity and willingness to apply a ‘Lord of the Flies’ mindset. Specifically, as Christians we should be repulsed by Planned Parenthood targeting minorities in a well-documented effort toward racial ‘cleansing’ and eugenics.

RElevance

• Black women [12% of the female population in America] suffer 36% of all abortions.• Latina women [13% of the female population] suffer 20% of all abortions.• Together, they suffer 56% of all abortions yet only represent 25% of our nation’s population.

Two out of every three Planned Parenthood abortion facilities are located in Black American neighborhoods. A new “Super Center” being built in Houston, TX is strategically positioned right in the center of four minority neighborhoods; one is 80% Black American and the other three average an 85% Hispanic population.

David, amazed at the detail the Lord took in creating him, declared,” For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 The Body of Christ MUST defend the defenseless!

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MaterialismHe who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. (5:10) And that was precisely what was meant from that theological bastion Notorious BIG when he stated,” Mo Money Mo Problems” Materialism is in the marrow of the bones of the skeletal structure that is the United States of America…sadly. Due in large part to advertising vermin, who, no longer simply present which products are available, but actually attach the ‘improvement’ of human ‘value’ to products. We, the Body of Christ, then allow these same feculent spinsters to preach in our sanctuaries, pitching Jesus as if He were merely a ‘product’ to consider when renovating your soul…along the lines of omnipotent, immutable hardwood flooring. It is an incalculable fool indeed who believes eternal souls, created in the image of Almighty God, have their worth or identity defined by means of temporal, perishable, debris. As a result of the infection of materialism on the discernment of ‘self’, there remains no sense of contentment because your ‘value’ is in a constant state of ‘upgrade’ or ‘change’. Nebbish after pitiable nebbish running from Grunge then to Goth then to White Trash Chic then to ‘whatever’ the next flavor on the clothing rack is… “Physical beauty is a pleasant thing, but if you ‘deify’ it, if you make it the most important thing in a person’s life or a culture’s life, then you have Aphrodite, not just beauty. You have people, and an entire culture, constantly agonizing over appearance, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on it, and foolishly evaluating character on the basis of it. If anything becomes more fundamental than God to your happiness, meaning in life, and identity, then it is an idol.” [5] A Desire for “The Good Old Days”Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. (7:10) Hindsight is a liar in the providence of God. Which is precisely ‘why’ Christ taught,” No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Guilty People Allowed to Commit More CrimeBecause the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. (8:11)Florida, not only are your citizens unable to figure out how to correctly cast a butterfly ballot but at least twelve of you thought it was okay for Casey Anthony to murder her daughter. I suspect there is no stockpile of Mensa applications being mailed to the Sunshine State.

Ernest Hemingway said, “Life is a dirty trick; a short journey from nothingness to nothingness.” And without God, Hemingway was correct; there is no ‘lamp to their feet’ or ‘light to their path’. [Psalm 119:105] Without God, the whole of reality, all logic, and all truth is indefinable. The unbeliever must assess their value on the basis that the very essence of their being was brought about by nothing more than purposeless, meaningless, hopeless, pointless, chance. Suffering, misery, and human depravity cannot be recognized as ‘unjust’ because there is no reason, no validity, to life in order that it may have any intrinsic value or worth whatsoever, so how can any part be sequestered for the purpose of comfort or happiness? Alistair Begg explains it well: “The great moral dilemma of pain and evil and suffering is not rectified by rejecting God, it is exacerbated by rejecting God. Because with God we at least have a point of reference, absent God the whole thing is a mess; we are without form and void, we are purposeless and we are totally chaotic.” Thus, the Russian art gallery owner in Phil Rosenthal’s documentary ‘Exporting Raymond’, feels justified saying, ‘Style is more important than content.’ Why worry about ‘content’ if all of this is meaningless?!?!?!?!Hell, if your raison d’être is meaningless, you at least want to have a veneer that is attractive…right?

2Ecclesiastes provides great benefit for believer’s in creating an empathic understanding of the unbelievers hopelessness which should stir an increased urgency to share the Gospel.

Those ‘under the sun’ can all concur with Captain Barbossa’s ‘curse’, all saying,” For too long I’ve been parched of thirst and unable to quench it. Too long I’ve been starving to death and haven’t died. I feel nothing. Not the wind on my face nor the spray of the sea. Nor the warmth of a woman’s flesh.” Contentment is not possible ‘under the Sun’ only in Christ. Because if ‘meaning’ in life could be purchased, Solomon had immeasurable wealth! If influence could provide meaning, he was a king!If sex could provide meaning, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines…which many Detroit anthropologists believe served as the inspiration for the James Brown soul anthem ‘Sex Machine’. And yet, with all that Solomon possessed, ‘under the sun’, void of God, it was ALL ‘meaningless’.

And this truth is essentially ‘why’, “The believer finds life more rewarding than the unbeliever. That is not because he has more in this world with which to work; he too experiences frustrations and every other effect of sin. But he has a way to face these problems that the unbeliever does not. And he is looking forward to a time when the God of creation will free this world from it s bondage to corruption and refashion it into a place of perfection. He does not trust in the feeble, impermanent works of man to bring about perfection; he knows that they do not. He trusts in the promises of God.[6] By design, we are fully dependent on God at all times and in all circumstances. Ecclesiastes is explicit as a simulacrum demonstrating from Solomon’s personal experience that all earthly objectives and blessings, when pursued as ends in themselves, lead to discontent and purposelessness. By austere contrast, the highest good in life lies in reverencing and obeying God, and in enjoying life while one can.Therefore, the believer lives with a sense of eternality that assures this life, this reality, is not all there is! “A prime mark of the Christian mind is that it cultivates the eternal perspective. That is to say, it looks beyond this life to another one. It is supernaturally orientated, and brings to bear upon earthly considerations the fact of Heaven and the fact of Hell.” - Harry Blamires

Thus, the unbeliever, crying with a painted-on smile, dwells on two pervading truths in Ecclesiastes: 1. Death is inevitable 2. Fear God

The Body of Christ is called to offer additional, redeemed and forgiven, options! I love how Pastor Jim Essian summarizes Ecclesiastes: “It reads like one long Radiohead song!” And Solomon would agree, after all there is ‘nothing new under the sun’ [1:9]

“In the next world warIn a jackknifed juggernaut

I am born againIn the neon sign

Scrolling up and downI am born again

In an interstellar burstI am back to save the universe” – Airbag, Radiohead

by Ezra Boggs

[1] Carson, D. A. - New Bible Commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed.). [Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.1994][2] Adams, Jay – Life under the Son: Counsel from the Book of Ecclesiastes, [Timeless Texts, 1999][3] Richards, L. O. - The Bible Readers Companion (Wheaton, Ill: Victor Books , 1991)[4] Wiersbe, W. W. - Be Satisfied [Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996][5] Keller, Tim – Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters” [Dutton][6] Adams. Jay - Life under the Son: Counsel from the Book of Ecclesiastes, [Timeless Texts, 1999]

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We don’t know where we’re goingOr what we might find

Step outside the line to find the reasonWhy you should care

Take the time and figure outExactly why you are there

Tyler Wood – “Underneath the Sun”

Do you detect a sense of “chasing the wind” in our world today among the people you know? That is, do you see people who are frustrated, worried and uncertain concerning what their lives are all about? People who are struggling to distraction, if not despair to figure out the big questions of life? In what ways do you see this?

Chasing the Wind1:1-11

You can write a million songsYou still can’t write your life

The Orbans – “When We Were Wild”

When have you been frustrated with knowing something needs to be fixed - even knowing how - but found you were unable to make straight what is crooked?

1:12-18 Wisdom is Dumb

ections

People make the strangest angelsDon’t you think its true

I made love to youAnd you lied to me

Yeah, its something that you’ll never knowYeah, its something that you’ll never ownYeah, its something that you’ll never have

A life like mine

Luke Wade and No Civilians, “Strangest Angels”

What do you enjoy more than anything else? Does the search for pleasure consume you? Do you avoid it? Do you engage in pleasures and pursuits despite God? In spite of God? In worship of God? How does knowing God enable a person to “eat, drink, and find enjoyment in his toil?”

The Morning After2:1-11

2:12-17Nobody until you’re dead You wait for medallions

Waiting on your bronzed head Writing books that should never be read

Telegraph Canyon – Into the Woods

Why is being wise more wise than being a fool? Do you think you live by wisdom? In your supposed wisdom, do you judge the fool for his folly? What foolish things irk you that people do? How does one remain humble within their wisdom?

The Wise and the Fool in the Same Box

Work Sucks2:18-26Got here a month ago, been just a one-man show

Got dreams but I’ve got no plansStare at the city lights, can’t see the wrong or right

The whole of my life in my hands

Tyler Wood - Soon

Are you content with your work? Do you enjoy it or hate it? Would your friends or family consider you a “workaholic”? Is your chief motivation in work do make money to survive? To gain prestige in the sight of others? To help others? What does it look like to worship God in your work?

Now you knowThat you control everything

As usual I’m stuck in the middleAnd now I’m drowning

In myself again

Burning Hotels – Stuck in the Middle

What are your biggest pains and disappointments in life? How have you reacted to these? What have you understood God’s role to be in your suffering and disappointment?

Does God ordain sin and evil? Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 suggests that in some sense he does, but how? Scripture teaches us to distinguish between God as the ordainer and God as the doer of sin and evil. He does ordain; he doesn’t do. Sometimes this is referred to as the efficient cause and the instrumental cause. For example, read the following passages: Job 1:6-12 and Acts 2:22- 24. In what way is God the ordainer but not the doer?

What can we take joy in now? What gifts has God given you that you can enjoy today?

3:1-15 Its Time

I’ve seen the last of my defense

I have seen the weight of the worldHeavy like a tyrant

Just trying to say byeTo the only thing he learned

So come and lay now in the dirt

The Orbans – “When We Were Wild”

What examples do you see in today’s world of “wickedness in the place of righteousness” and “the tears of the oppressed?” Have you seen some of this in your own life? Read Revelation 20:11-15, which describes it in more explicit detail. Does the prospect of judgment after death comfort you, frighten you, or both?

3:16-4:3 Injustice and the Gift of Death

4:4-16 Bowling AloneAnd today’s friends are tomorrows ghosts

Tomorrows lovers are today unknowns

Luke Wade and No Civilians – Ghost on a Wire

Are your current relationships healthy? Destructive? Nurturing? Suspicious? Trusting? How important are relationships to you? Are you a loner? Social? Are you a jealous person? Easily offended? Indifferent? How does your relationship Jesus “flavor” your relationships with others?

Can you kneel before the king and say ‘I’m clean’, ‘I’m clean’?

Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life

Mumford and Sons – White Blank Page

Have you ever discovered something about God that surprised you or bothered you? How did you learn it? How did you react? How does God use “troubling truth” to mold us into true worshippers? Many people think they are worshipping God when they’re really worshipping their own thoughts about God. So how do you know if you’ve encountered God as he really is? Read about the Prophet Isaiah’s experience in Isaiah 6:1-7. How did he react to his vision of God? What changed in him? Was God pleased with his response? How does this challenge and comfort you?

5:1-7 A Fearful God

5:8-6:9 A Lot of NothingRun further for your prizeBut you won’t win your life

You’ll find when you’re doneThat you’re still under the sun

Tyler Wood – “Underneath the Sun”

What would contentment look like for you? When it comes to possessions and all the nice things money can buy, how much is enough for you? If you have extra money, how do you manage it in order to be free from the love of money and gain eternal pleasure?

6:10-7:14 The Good BadI will hold to what’s trueCause this life ain’t over

Its just long overdueThe world it bullies me, tells me I can’t seeWhat is going on, well its probably right

Tyler Wood – Long Overdue

Think about the times you felt closest to God.Were they when things were great or difficult?

But you rip it from my handsAnd you swear it’s all goneAnd you rip out all I haveJust to say that you’ve won

Well now you’ve won

Mumford and Sons – I Gave You All

What does it mean to be “overly righteous”? Are you? Why do you think it is so easy for us to have a higher opinion of ourselves than we should? What are some of the motivations that lie behind this? Has there been a time in your life when you were overwhelmed by someone’s sin against you? Does it help to remember that you have also sinned against others?

7:15-29 Let Me Learn By Paradox

Can’t always find your wayAlways find our way

But we are here to loveAnd we are loved here

Green River Ordinance - Outside

What authorities, bosses, or governments frustrate you? How does fearing God connect with enjoying life?

8:1-17 Wisdom and Fear

It’s a common situationBut its lacking stimulation

We could use some inspirationFrankly I’m kind of bored

Tyler Wood – The Boxed Kind

Does your perspective on life cultivate an enjoyment of it? Would you consider yourself controlling? Does that hinder joy and enjoyment or aid in it?

9:1-12 Death Frames Life

But hold on to what you believe in the lightWhen the darkness has robbed you of all your sight

Mumford and Sons – Hold Onto What You Believe

This city breathes the plague of loving things more than their creators.

Who are the most influential voices in your life; either personal friends or authors, teachers, talk-show hosts, etc? Do these voices consistently point you to Jesus and help you know him better? Does their advice have a track record of helping you live more wisely?

9:13-10:20 Don’t Be An Idiot

11:1-6 Risk-TakingMaybe I’m down to my last dollar

I’m weak in the knees and soft in the hollerI found a place where we can go

little piece of land

Where the west wind blowsWhere the west wind blowsLets get lost with no direction

35 head south for Texas

Green River Ordinance – Where the West Wind Blows

Are you more of a cautious person or more of a risk taker? Think of a few examples. How might God be calling you to change? If you tend toward caution, how would the gospel challenge you to take more risks?

Give me time give me spaceafter all the years here

so they says we’ve lost our wayremember back when we were young

it was easier to lovenow we are fallin

I don’t wanna spend my life runnin scared of what we’ve becomeIt’s never what they told ya I guess we’re gettin older

I don’t spend my life waiting watchin while we all keep changinI guess we’re getting older I guess we’re getting older

Green River Ordinance – Getting Older

When you’re 60, what will you most regret about your past five years? Where do you need to remove vexation from your heart and put away pain from your body? Do you give much consideration to the fact that you’ll be judged by God?

11:7-12:8 23-Year-Old Adolescents

12:9-14 The End of the Matter

It seems as if all my bridges have been burned,You say that’s exactly how this grace thing works

It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,But the welcome I receive at the restart

Mumford and Sons – Roll Away Your Stone

Looking back through the many hard truths of Ecclesiastes, which do you find most difficult to swallow? Which have stung the most going in? What is God teaching you through these truths? Goads and nails are also anticipated in Jesus’ teaching, “Take up your cross and follow me.” Where is Jesus calling you to follow him even though it’s painful, difficult, inconvenient, or confusing?

“We want to complexify our lives. We want to be harried, hassled, and busy. For if we had leisure, we would look at ourselves and listen to our hearts and see the great gaping hole and be terrified, because that hole is so big that nothing but God can fill it” – Peter Kreeft

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” – King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 12:13

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