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20 April 2007
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3
I said to myself, "I will try having fun. I will enjoy myself." But I found that this is also useless. It is foolish to laugh all the time, and having fun doesn't accomplish anything. I decided to cheer myself up with wine while my mind was still thinking wisely. I wanted to find a way to enjoy myself and see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.
Having tried to find the meaning of life through work; through experiencing the new; through wisdom and knowledge; the Teacher decides to shelve them all and find satisfaction through the "eat drink and be merry" approach.
It's not a crime to want to enjoy yourself, in fact it's part of our Christian calling to enjoy the lives and everything else that God has given us. But it's one thing to enjoy the life you have and quite another to fill your life with fun and frivolity as a way to give it meaning. The Teacher reaches the same conclusion - he tried numbing his pain with laughter, alcohol and fun-filled activities. But soon came to the conclusion that a life that comprised of nothing more than fun was no life at all. It was only a shallow and empty experience.
The Teacher's search for the meaning of life in fun is reflected in much of what we see in British culture - especially among young people. For example: Britain's binge drinking culture is costing the country £20 billion a year; 17 million working days are lost yearly to hangovers and drink-related illness; the annual cost to employers is estimated to be £6.4 billion; and the cost to the National Health Service is around £1.7bn. Billions more are spent clearing up alcohol-related crime and social problems and alcohol-related problems are responsible for 22,000 premature deaths each year [source: BBC NEWS | Health | Binge drinking costing billions].
People expect the church to condemn such a life-style, but condemnation won't change situations or minds. As Christians we need to live differently - but how? Spend some time today thinking about the way you live - do you model a positive alternative way of life? Why not get together with some Christian friends to pray and discuss how you might help each other to do this.
Lord Jesus, You have called me to be salt and light in this world. Help me not to lose my saltiness - so that my presence no longer gives flavour. Help me not to cover the light of Christ in me so that others stumble about in the darkness. Spirit of God please give me courage and wisdom so that I can live a life that speaks of the Father's love and grace for me, and His passion and compassion for others. And thank you, thank you that Jesus came to give me life and life in all its fullness. Amen
Written by Christine Gore.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3
I said to myself, "I will try having fun. I will enjoy myself." But I found that this is also useless. It is foolish to laugh all the time, and having fun doesn't accomplish anything. I decided to cheer myself up with wine while my mind was still thinking wisely. I wanted to find a way to enjoy myself and see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.
Having tried to find the meaning of life through work; through experiencing the new; through wisdom and knowledge; the Teacher decides to shelve them all and find satisfaction through the "eat drink and be merry" approach.
It's not a crime to want to enjoy yourself, in fact it's part of our Christian calling to enjoy the lives and everything else that God has given us. But it's one thing to enjoy the life you have and quite another to fill your life with fun and frivolity as a way to give it meaning. The Teacher reaches the same conclusion - he tried numbing his pain with laughter, alcohol and fun-filled activities. But soon came to the conclusion that a life that comprised of nothing more than fun was no life at all. It was only a shallow and empty experience.
The Teacher's search for the meaning of life in fun is reflected in much of what we see in British culture - especially among young people. For example: Britain's binge drinking culture is costing the country £20 billion a year; 17 million working days are lost yearly to hangovers and drink-related illness; the annual cost to employers is estimated to be £6.4 billion; and the cost to the National Health Service is around £1.7bn. Billions more are spent clearing up alcohol-related crime and social problems and alcohol-related problems are responsible for 22,000 premature deaths each year [source: BBC NEWS | Health | Binge drinking costing billions].
People expect the church to condemn such a life-style, but condemnation won't change situations or minds. As Christians we need to live differently - but how? Spend some time today thinking about the way you live - do you model a positive alternative way of life? Why not get together with some Christian friends to pray and discuss how you might help each other to do this.
Lord Jesus, You have called me to be salt and light in this world. Help me not to lose my saltiness - so that my presence no longer gives flavour. Help me not to cover the light of Christ in me so that others stumble about in the darkness. Spirit of God please give me courage and wisdom so that I can live a life that speaks of the Father's love and grace for me, and His passion and compassion for others. And thank you, thank you that Jesus came to give me life and life in all its fullness. Amen
Written by Christine Gore.
