Ecclesiastes 1-3

The book of Ecclesiastes confronts us with a profound paradox: life in this broken world often feels elusive, like trying to eat Jell-O with a fork or grasp vapor in our hands. Yet within this honest acknowledgment of life's difficulties lies a transformative message about where true joy is found. We discover that Solomon, who had unlimited resources to pursue every pleasure, possession, and project imaginable, concluded that none of it satisfied. The endless cycle of work-eat-sleep-repeat, the brevity of our days, and the futility we sometimes feel aren't signs that life is meaningless—they're wake-up calls pointing us toward something greater. The Hebrew word 'hebel' translated as 'vanity' doesn't mean life is worthless; it means that without God, life remains frustratingly difficult to grasp and understand. But here's the beautiful truth: God not only gives us the 'peaches' of life, He gives us the 'can opener'—the capacity to enjoy them. When we live 'under the sun' in our fallen world apart from God, even abundance feels empty. But when we walk with Him, even simple things like food, drink, and daily work become infused with meaning and joy. This isn't about having more; it's about knowing the One who makes everything beautiful in its time.