The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/ecclesiastes/4.htm

Now I’m perplexed, as there are many things here that I disagree with. So it has caused me to think about myself, my thoughts, my opinions, and whether or not I’m wrong. Then again, maybe I’m just not understanding.

Right out of the gate, Verse 1, “the tears of the oppressed… have no comforter…” I’m not necessarily oppressed, I’m not a victim, but God has charged me with a great responsibility…caring for three special needs adults. And it is a challenge. I’m alone, and all three vie for my constant attention. Even before I study the Bible, I have to pray that God protects me from distractions so I can read and study in peace. All three have behavior problems; despite their age, two are intellectually and emotionally in their “terrible twos” and will be forever. The other, despite being an older gentleman, is the equivalent of an 11 year old, and we all know how kids at that age can be sneaky, dishonest, dodging work, etc. So it is definitely a challenge, my wife has passed leaving me to all of this, and it is a battle everyday. But, I’m convinced God has chosen me for this job, I am fulfilling His Will. And despite the fact that I’m alone, I have a comforter. God! God is my comforter! No one on this earth is alone because we have a wonderful Father in Heaven. And all we have to do is turn to Him for comfort and solace, and reassurance.

Maybe I’m overthinking what Solomon is trying to say, but at face value, I disagree that the “oppressed have no comforter”.

Now, if what you’re doing is for selfish reasons, then yes, I agree with Solomon. If you’re doing God’s work, none of what I just said applies. Let me expound…my wife and I were foster parents for many years. Her desire to do this just happened to coincide with the last of our children preparing to graduate and move on, so I’m convinced her desire to have children in the home was a result of “empty nest syndrome”.

My wife had a desire to help children. In fact, she specifically told social services that she wanted families because she hated to see children taken away from each other and sent to different foster homes. Don’t get me wrong, during those years, we befriended and associated with numerous other foster parents with good intentions, and the vast majority of foster parents are good; the system seems to get a bad rap. Yet, there were some that were in it for the money.

The money isn’t great, unless you deal in volume. Taking on two or three kids doesn’t result in a stipend that even begins to meet their needs. But, if you foster large volumes of kids, feed them hamburger helper, and ignore some of their other needs like clothing, then yes, you can be a full time foster parent and not have to work a job. There are not many like that, but there are a few “bad apples” that ruin the reputation of the system.

That, is likely the “selfish toil” Solomon is talking about. God knows the heart, and He knows if you doing something for the good, or if you’re doing something for appearances (or for wealth).

All of that wordy-word ramble I just went on, let me summarized by saying that yes, I belief if all you do if for self, if you accumulate wealth and use none of it to help others, if your motive is for social status, and if none of what you do is for the purpose of serving God or fulfilling His Will, then yes, it is all in vain.

And let me say this. I’m awfully mouthy. I ramble. And most of the time, I feel foolish for doing this, because literally, I read and study the chapter I’m on, then I sit at the computer and let my thoughts flow as my fingers pound the keyboard. None of what I say is planned. I have no outline or pre-plan for what I write. I say again, each time I study I pray that God Himself is my teacher and that He gives me the words to put in this blog. So I can only pray that what I am writing is good. Please take what I write as simply words on a page. They may not make since. They may go in circles. I may elaborate too much, or not enough. Maybe I just have a big mouth and like to type. So please, feel free to disagree with me. All I’m saying is, forgive the dissertation, my intent is not to write a novel, but simply to share my thoughts. I apologize that my thought are so many.

God bless you, and have a Happy upcoming Sabbath!