Preachers can really be a bunch of “Debby Downers.” We know this. It has ever been so. The author of the book of Ecclesiastes identifies himself as Qoheleth, which is Hebrew for ‘preacher’.
What’s the first thing this preacher has to say to us? “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
Does he mean to be so comprehensive? Yes, he does.
Work? – Vanity!
Learning? – Vanity!
Wealth and possessions? – Vanity!
Pleasure and reputation? – you guessed it; this is vanity too.
So, if all our typical aspirations are vanity, what’s a person to do? “There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
You might draw the conclusion that this preacher has decided that everything humans do or aspire to is vain and useless, that life has no point. Therefore, you may as well enjoy what you can and forget about the rest.
Except that isn’t quite the point the preacher is making.
The English word “vanity” suggests something useless or pointless, but the Hebrew doesn’t quite say that. The Hebrew word means something like “breath” or “vapor.” So, the preacher is telling us that all our pleasures and pain; all our pursuits and goals “under the sun” are like vapor. They don’t last. They are ephemeral in light of things that do last.
What lasts? That which God endows with eternal life. God grasps us – breath and vapor though we are – and gives us substance and eternal significance. Because our lives have been raised with Christ, they are not just breath and vapor. They matter. They last.
Your life matters eternally. Live like it. Prayer: God of life, remind me again that this ephemeral moment is part of eternity. Make this moment worthy of it. Amen.