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ATB blog

The Meaning of Life

2/13/2016

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,There are times when things are so wacky in our lives that we may ask this question in utter frustration, God What Is The Meaning Of Life?
We are confused, dazed and seemingly with out direction. Everything we thought was important seems so trivial under the conditions we are facing. In the middle of it all we begin to look for answers from God, and then ask him to solve all our problems, most of which we have created.

When we put it on paper like that, doesn't it seem a little out of balance? Solomon, who had everything couldn't figure it all out but he eventually got close, and I think that is all we can ever hope for, to get close to understanding. Here are a few of his choice quotes from the Book of Ecclesiastes:

"Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."

"The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

Solomon had everything literally, he was rich, famous, talented and smart, but nothing bought him total satisfaction. So he tried what we do, he tried more...

"I thought to my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good". But it also proved to be meaningless.........I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun".

Just like the opening statement of this blog implies, the man who had everything realized he had nothing. Nothing, that is until he found God somewhere in the midst of it all. 

"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too, is meaningless, a chasing after the wind".

I am pretty sure Jesus gave Solomon an answer many years later when he spoke these words: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself". This, he said was the most important thing, the thing that would give our lives meaning of value, something that would last like the living water he so often talked about. From meaningless to meaningful. Back to Solomon:

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart".

The Meaning Of Life? It is in these words spoken from scripture, and it is up to each one of us to figure it out as Solomon did. I have no answers, let the word speak, but I will tell you this, my heart is full of gladness now that I have gotten close to understanding!​
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    Glenn Yankowski

    Glenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at sgtski@bellsouth.net.

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