Living The Abundant Life
“So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Today’s reading in Ecclesiastes reveals that Solomon, son of David, king of Jerusalem, was a man who admittedly had the opportunity to indulge in many good things. He said, “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure.” Solomon accomplished more than most in his pursuit of power, position, possessions and pleasures. In addition to all of this Solomon reports that wisdom remained with him. It was, in fact, this wisdom that enabled Solomon to review the narrative of his life and repeat, some 37 times, that despite everything he’d experienced, all was “vanity.”
What is God teaching us through the words of Solomon? What can we glean from our reading on this Good Friday, the day Christians all over the world commemorate as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary?
On this solemn day let us consider our Lord’s life. We remember his birth in a lowly stable and his death on a cross at Calvary, and we are witness to a life lived with purpose and significance. Conversely, the life of Solomon, who despite his life of privilege, lived as a god unto himself and was often unfulfilled and left with a sense of emptiness in and through his experiences.
Solomon’s writings teach us that a life lived with pleasure or happiness as its most important goal is a life void of meaning and purpose. Idols have a way of leaving us with yearnings that cannot be satisfied; hence, we continue our endless striving in pursuit of something or someone that is essentially powerless to provide the contentment we are seeking. Pleasure or happiness may provide momentary gratification but ultimately prove unsatisfactory. At this point, we may be tempted to cry out as Solomon, “All is vanity and striving after the wind; and there is nothing to be gained under the sun.” Solomon’s conclusion speaks less about the meaninglessness of life, than it does about the meaninglessness of life lived apart from God. He teaches us that human effort, however noble it may be, represents a life lived in futility.
In John 10:10 Jesus explains, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The abundant life that Jesus is speaking of is not found in the things that we acquire or even in our human relationships. The abundant life that Jesus is speaking of refers to the life offered mankind as a result of Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross. It is the supernatural relationship with God, through Jesus, enriched and empowered by His Spirit that gives meaning and purpose to an otherwise meaningless life.
As Solomon completes his discourse, he writes that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commands. Solomon found his way to God and in the process found true meaning and purpose in life. May we prayerfully and humbly consider our lives in light of Jesus’ sacrifice and commit afresh, as did Solomon, to loving God and keeping His commands.
Let’s talk: What can we glean from our reading on this Good Friday, the day Christians all over the world commemorate as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary?
Joan serves Love God Greatly in the area of Community Development as well as writing the WomenofLGG Saturday feature. She’s been married to her God-given best friend, Bobby, for 37 years. They have been blessed with two precious children, their cherished spouses and five adorable and much-loved grandchildren. Thirty four years ago God mercifully became the Lord of Joan’s life. From that moment she has been dedicated to serving Him faithfully. Whether advocating for children in the court system or leading women’s Bible studies at her home church, she longs for others to know the love of Jesus that transformed her life. Romans 8:37-39.
Did you miss Wednesday’s post? View it here!
Thank you for this study. It is hard. It is like holding a mirror to my heart and seeing all the places in which I exclude God in my life, and as if I’ve forgotten all my Savior has done and His promises. Today’s prayer was to seek a heart of gratitude, to remember my Savior’s favor and to allow joy to enter my heart. Many blessings to you all.
Kristine, thank you for your comment! If we would all be honest we’d admit to having the same struggles. Given all the distractions in life, I continually strive to remember what is important and how to keep Jesus at the center of my life (Matt. 6:33). I love your prayer, praying for you today, Kristine, and asking that His joy would indeed fill your heart as we celebrate Him this Easter weekend.
As I sit and read this commentary on Friday, the day my Lord was crucified I am humbled at the thought that God sent His son to die for me. But by His death I have now become a joint heir with Him in resurrection life. Praise the Lord! Thank you Joan for your beautifully written words.
Praising God for my sweet husband; his love for Jesus and his love for me. It warmed my heart to see you comment, Bobby. Grateful to be your wife and excited to be serving Him together (Ecc. 4:9-12)!!
Today, I am reflecting on a deeper thought of what it means to take up the cross and follow Christ. The other day I asked my students how we can see the cross in our everyday walk with Christ…more than just a cross of salvation. One of my students mentioned when He encouraged us to take up the cross and follow Him. Often, we can receive this verse with a begrudgingly mindset because we feel it’s our efforts and sacrifices that need to consume our walk. But, even our efforts can fail when not done in God’s power, strength and in His leading. I am learning this as I recognize a mindset of failure I have been trapped in that I tend to toil in an effort to change situations and people. But, can I take up the cross and all the freedoms the cross brings and take hold.of these freedoms in my mind? I don’t have to live trapped in my mind but free to allow God to lead me in my thoughts and relationships. I am looking forward to this freedom and stepping into the greater fullness of what Jesus wants me to live in. I appreciate your prayers for this. Thank you for this study.
Jessa, I love your thoughts and your prayers for a “fuller” life in Christ! I am praying that Jesus will help you walk in the abundant life that He wants you to enjoy and trust He will give you the desire of your heart to know Him at a deeper level and love Him with abandon! Praying for you, dear sister in Christ, and thanking God for this opportunity to pray for one another. Have a blessed Easter!
Thanks be to God for sending Jesus to save me and all the earth. Kristine I hear you, It is like holding a mirror to my heart and seeing all the places in I exclude God in my life. As Solomon has done I am putting my earthy life first, my worries of the future, where is my new normal, trying to do all things on my own. Chasing the wind! Apart for God life is meaningless. Heavenly Father, Lord God thank you for showing me the new, opening my eye’s to see you. Peace, Love and Joy everyone!
Bonnie, thank you for your comment! Oh I love your prayer and am reminded how blessed we are that Jesus is always revealing Himself to us and drawing us into greater intimacy with Himself! Every day is an adventure with Him! Thank you for sharing with us and reminding us that His compassions are new every morning and that He is faithful in drawing us close (Lamentations 3:22-24). Have a blessed Easter!
Reading these words on the day of our Lord’s crucifixion just reaffirms the most important relationship in our life is with Jesus. To gain the whole world but lose our soul is a sobering thought. I thank God daily for drawing me to Him over 20 years ago and letting me see His love, grace and mercy. I can’t wait to celebrate His resurrection this Sunday. God’s blessings to all!
Alison, love your heart and your friendship! We’ve walked together with Jesus for some years now and I rejoice that He has never failed us; He’s always been our inspiration and our hope! We are who we are today because He loved us with an everlasting love. Love doing life with you dear Friend! He is risen! Have a blessed Easter Miss A!!!
I love this series. It is helping me to see what I didn’t see of myself before and its only week 1! Many times I would ask God what is my purpose, I’m a stay at home mom and I can’t go back to college because something always comes up financially so I sit here wondering. And I do other worldly things to fill that void. I’m excited to keep going and learning.
Dear Marilyn, so grateful for your comment! I had the privilege of staying home with my children all through school and returned to college only after they were grown. In fact, my son and I started college at the same time! Looking back I can see that God’s timing in it was perfect and I’m learning to find contentment wherever God places me. I struggle with running ahead of God and thinking I need to be somewhere other than where I am. After I finally completed college God allowed me to enjoy a career that I might not have been able to enjoy while my children were still in the home. And even though I appreciate God allowing me to obtain my college education, the best years of my life were those spent investing into my children’s lives and having them grow to love and serve Jesus for themselves. Praying for you now, Marilyn, as you pour your life into those precious babes and trust God to enrich you in all you do for Him. Have a blessed Easter sweet Friend!
Thank you Joan! It is true I love the time I get to spend with my chidren. I was a single mother of 5 for almost 10 years and I spent most of that time working. When I met my husband 4 years ago my youngest had just turned a year, and right before we were married he wanted to make my dream come true and let me stay home and raise my last baby. I didn’t have that chance with my other kids. Its a true blessing. Now my first 4 are grown, ages 21 to 16, two of which have their focus on God and two who do not. But I have faith they will change. I see it differently now, thank you! Thank you for your word and your prayers! May you have a blessed Easter as well!
Thank you, Joan. Such a good word today. <3
Jennifer, praying you will enjoy His presence as we celebrate His resurrection this Easter weekend! He is risen!!
Alison, love your heart and your friendship! We’ve walked together with Jesus for some years now and I rejoice that He has never failed us; He’s always been our inspiration and our hope! We are who we are today because He loved us with an everlasting love. Love doing life with you dear Friend! He is risen! Have a blessed Easter Miss A!!!
Joan,
it is so good to read an article written by you. It was very well written! God has gifted you. I hope you are well!
We can look at the words in Ecclesiastes and look at what Jesus did and know that Jesus ended all of that! Jesus took away the futility and gave us life. We can now be close to God….this a revelation that takes a lifetime to digest. So, my desire is to honor what Jesus did for me by making God my main focus.
Love you Joan! It is a pleasure to have met you.
Miranda, love your heart Friend! Isn’t it wonderful to know that our lives have purpose and meaning in Christ and that we can, and do, begin enjoying the abundant life the moment we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior!!! I can remember what it felt like to search for something or someone to fill that God shaped vacuum in my heart and then the inexplicable joy that consumed me when I finally found Him! Have a blessed Easter sweet Miranda!
When we are suffering here in this world, we are also partaking the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he went to Cross for us for our sins, so this good Friday is the day when he was handed over to be mocked, spit, flogged until his body was broken up for us and with that 39 stripes he rec’d in his back we are healed!
Yes Marilyn!! You’ve given us a good reminder of the price He paid for our freedom. Thank you for honoring Him through your words. We are humbled by His sacrifice and spiritually alive because of His death. Praising God for you and praying you enjoy a most blessed Easter as we celebrate Him and give Him the glory He so richly deserves!
Thank you, Joan, for your words of encouragement on this Good Friday morning. I, too, was struck with the thoughts of Christ’s sacrifice, and how His love can satisfy us like no other. Solomon, for all his wisdom, wealth, and pleasure, found no meaning in the “stuff” of life. It is only in Christ can we be truly satisfied! Last night, at a Maunday Thursday service, we sang “All My Life Long I Had Panted.” The words brought be back to what we have been reflecting on over the past week, and how true satisfaction is in Jesus only!
All my life long I had panted – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXdkZFl0UmA
1. All my life long I had panted
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His life I now am saved.
2. Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
3. Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
4. Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
Karen, how powerful! I can only thank God that there is burning of the thirst we feel within that prepares us for the Living Water that is Jesus Christ! Those words pretty much said it all, didn’t they? Unbelievable. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! Have a blessed Easter Friend!!!
I am reminded today that to live for myself is to take his death lightly. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Not I, but Christ in me.”
Sheri, you are so right! We pray to not take His death lightly. It is good that today we find ourselves praying that, in and through our lives, Jesus would increase and we would decrease! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Praying you will have a blessed Easter weekend!!!
I’m forever grateful for our study group and feel part of the body for Christ with you my sisters. I hope and pray for continued growth in Christ that I may serve his purpose always.
Thank you all and God Bless,
Tammy, thanks so much for your comment! I’m praying that you will find much joy as you faithfully serve God, seeking His will for your life. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to know that we are all part of the body of Christ and have the privilege of loving and praying for one another! Have a blessed Easter!
What can I glean? The timing of this study is perfect for me. I very recently, about 1 week before this study, received an unexpected financial debt. I did not know how I was going to pay for this. This debt came at a time that my husband was retiring. Money was less but we were sitting well. This week as I started this study, I began to examine all of the excess that I had in my life that gave me pleasure but were things I really didn’t need. Nothing bad, just things that I had allowed to creep into my life and take precedence over what was really important. I believe God is showing me the vanity in my life, what I need to get rid of so I can put his will first. I can look around me and find people that have much less than I do and they are happy. Matthew 16:26 says “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Penny, so grateful you shared your story with us. What a blessing that God is revealing Himself in this way to you and your husband. Sometimes the most difficult circumstances produce the most glorious fruit! So grateful you shared!! Easter blessing to you as we celebrate His resurrection tomorrow!
it was great talking to you and shaf on saturday what a blessed easter with our family and grandchildren the lord has been so good even in our time of stress don’t know how to live without him love to you all grace and fritzie
As a soon to be empty nester may I say…enjoy your kids. I have worked at home but enjoyed knowing what they were exposed to in life and may God bless my influence for Him. Vanity, vanity….simplifying life is not always easy when trying to help others and keep up with financial commitments…reminded of the rice/jar saying that if we put the walnuts in the jar first (time with God); the rice (other activities will sift around) but the other way around, the nuts (God won’t fit) God first, Others 2nd-Dear Lord Jesus, may my schedule (life choices) look pleasing to you.