Success - A Chasing After the Wind?

Ecclesiastes 2:11 Yet when I surveyed all that 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. NIV

I would suspect that we all talk to ourselves once and a while.

I enjoy debate, there are times when I want to debate with myself over certain ideas or subjects, taking both sides of an issue and finding out which one seems to be true and accurate. God prompted this characteristic of mine ever since He embedded His promise in Proverbs 2, when He promised wisdom to those who sought it with the intensity of a search for silver or hidden treasure. That serves me well most of the time, but it can lead some to think I am argumentative. I really don't want to be, but I sure do have to watch that I don't become that way, or portray myself that way..

Solomon's Debate

You would think that a guy like Solomon, who attained the greatest level of wisdom, would not have to debate with himself over anything. However, the book of Ecclesiastes is twelve chapters of just that--a lengthy debate over the meaningfulness of his life.

Come on! What was he thinking? And why? Here was a guy who began his reign with a solid demonstration of strength and power when he took care of a couple of his father David's nemeses, then out of humility appealed to God for wisdom because he felt his wisdom was the level of a "small child." He became more wise and wealthy than anyone in the world and had more women in his life than any man could imagine. Yet he had not found enough happiness to identify that his life, or anyone's life, contained meaningfulness.

In his debate he reflected on his material success, his own great wisdom, times when he slipped into folly, and the perceived success of handing over an inheritance to his descendants. Reflecting on it all, he declared it to be meaningless to him, a chasing after the wind. He does not actually define what the "wind" is. However, he does insert and repeat that "it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 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" (Eccl 5:18 NIV).

His varied repetitions of this verse reveals what Solomon is learning in his debate with himself. He comes to realize that the times of joy in his life were the most meaningful to him, reflecting that the perceived success of his life, he had now set aside in his mind. He goes on to declare that the time we spend with him in "debating over this subject" could be a sign that joy has not been achieved. Verse 20 says, "He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."

Friends, life is all about the "joy" of "toil," not about the common worldview of success, the size of your business or church. In the pursuit of joy, Solomon adds his simple path to joy in chapter 12 when he declares, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man"( Eccl 12:13).

Sometimes We Get Our Eyes on the Wrong Ball

Friends let me leave you to think about one more way to understand the theology of meaningfulness. Shaping your leadership through the lens of success is like shaping your life around good deeds in pursuit of salvation.

Shaping your leadership through the lens of success is like shaping your life around good deeds in pursuit of salvation. 

Some times we get our eyes on the wrong ball. I believe Solomon is teaching us that our first measurement in our churches and businesses should be the "joy-o-meter." Discover the meaningfulness of joy, then we can go on to study other prudent measurements of church attenders, ministries, revenue and business profits. In the same way faith produces good deeds, joy produces God defined success. Solomon, the wisest and richest man in his time defines success as in the size of your JOY!

That, my friends is most meaningful. That we can chase.