Last week I had a longish bus journey from our home to Heathrow, Terminal 5, to say goodbye to a dear friend, Nicola, who returned to South Africa. “ Aha” , I thought, “a chunk of time to dedicate to the reading of Ecclesiastes in one sitting, 2 bus-rides and a little wait at the Terminal.”
I got as far as Chapter 3 and found it fascinating!
It’s a well-known fact that philosophical speculation fails to give us the answers to the question of the meaning of life.
Let’s take shopping:
How long does shopping-happiness last? You set out with the happy intention of spending: enter the shop, look around, and examine the wares. Then the short or long decision, the handing over of the money, the moment when ownership is transferred! Then the moment when the object is displayed to others.
All these process-steps in enjoyment and almost all of them redolent with anticipation, or with retrospective glee. Pleasure is half anticipation and half blissful recollection. The moment of the actual pleasure is over in a flash.
Because I only got as far as Ecclesiastes 3, I can only jot down a few points. As we take a closer look at 4 areas the Preacher scrutinises, please insert your own examples: not all of us stand around the piano and sing!
In Ecclesiastes 2, the Preacher explores and tests laughter, community, alcohol (not out of control drinking or alcoholism), worthwhile activity, power. Not one of these activities, though good in of themselves, give lasting purpose to life.
- Laughter: comic relief, seeing the funny and sunny side of life, laughing at yourself. Many successful comedians have themselves been deeply unhappy. Some who have had the talent to reduce people to mass hilarity, have committed suicide.
- The pleasures of community: festivals, street parties, firework displays, suburban police watch, sports, concerts, etc.
3. Worthwhile Activity
4. Alcohol (not out of control drinking or alcoholism) 
5. Power and influence
Activities like these 5 lift the spirits and give people a sense of belonging, but will they give a lasting meaning to life? Do these fun/good,influential things last beyond life, beyond next week? Does singing at the piano fill an empty heart? Do they have any more worth than doing some good and give temporary relief?
By the way, our friend Nicola has started a new chapter in her life in South Africa after a decade plus in the UK. We wish her every true happiness in South Africa and the lasting happiness as found in a Person Who never, never disappoints. His Name is Jesus.
Here is a photo of our Nicola at Heathrow, Terminal 5
and here is Nicola in the middle, her friend on the left and me on the right
I do like this collage, the happiness, the exuberance and the enthusiasm! I really like the solid reasons and the forever, deep-down joy, even through the darkest of times and tears. Also when shopping & enjoying His good gifts - by His grace and kindness. How excellent that this joy is not tied up with the contents of the odd paper bag.
