Modern-Day Solomon

I am a modern-day Solomon. There I said it, I feel so much better! Now I know what you are thinking, “aren’t you a little arrogant, comparing yourself to one of the richest and smartest man to ever live.” And let’s be honest, you may have something there. I will be the first to admit that I have neither Solomon’s money nor his intelligence. However I do have something in common with him and they are found in this passage…

Ecclesiastes 2
1″I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. ² “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” ³ I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
⁴ I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. ⁵ I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶ I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. ⁷ I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. ⁸ I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem^[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. ⁹ I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

¹⁰ I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
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.”

Solomon was a seeker. He sought out ways to make his life more enjoyable and he denied himself nothing. And this is how I became a “Modern Day Solomon.” I am a seeker. I seek out ways to make my life more enjoyable. I may not have access to all that Solomon had access to, but I have plenty available.

Throughout my lifetime, I have surrounded myself with books, movies, tv, internet, friends, food, drink, gadgets all with the purpose (whether admitted or not) of making my life more enjoyable. You see none of us really like to live a life without enjoyment and I am no different. However no matter how much enjoyment I have experienced, I could not help but question if there was something more.

Solomon, too,  asks this question and his answer is found at the end Ecclesiastes, “¹³ Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. ¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Solomon soon discovered living a life centered around himself was not a fulfilling life. His journey into self-gratification brought him to a place where he acknowledged that the only life that had true meaning was a life lived in respect of God and His guidelines.

I, too, have dedicated a portion of my life to fulfilling my selfish ambitions. And I, too, have come to a place where I discovered that living this way is not as fulfilling as I thought it would be. God’s plan for our life is a one that designed to be the best fit for us. Some of us our quicker to figure this out than others.

I will end this post with a few questions we must all ask ourselves – “Where are you in this journey?” “Are you living a life that honors you or a life that honors God?” “Are you willing to change your ways?