Is it worth the worry?

How’s that for a dose of hope this morning?! At the risk of making you feel defeated, the title of this devotion is…correct.

About a month ago, I was reading in the book of Ecclesiastes, where the author states that “everything is meaningless” (chapter 1, verse 2). I, too, felt frustrated—even demoralized—as I read those words. Meaningless? Life? All of it? Geesh! That could quickly take me to a level of apathy that would render my life useless, pointless, and ultimately dire. How could this be? How could the Bible, of all books, make me feel this way? I had to dig deeper.

After a few Google searches, I quickly learned that the Hebrew word translated “meaningless” is hevel, which literally means “vapor” or “breath.” Aha! So if we consider that, what I am hearing is that life and all that goes with it is not pointless, or meaningless—it is fleeting. Temporary at best. Now I get it. Do you?

Let’s sub in “temporary” for “meaningless” in a few of the verses from Ecclesiastes and see how that feels:

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are temporary, a chasing after the wind” (chapter 1, verse 14).

“So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is temporary, a chasing after the wind” (chapter 2, verse 17).

“And I saw that all toil and achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is temporary, a chasing after the wind” (chapter 4, verse 4).

Yep, now that works. Our life is not pointless; that statement alone would totally contradict our very creation. Our life and everything in it, however, is fleeting—at least, our life on earth. Everything that happens in this lifetime is temporary.

Your job? Temporary.

Your relationships? Temporary.

That problem that never seems to go away? Temporary.

Your wealth or poverty? Temporary.

Your success? Temporary.

Your hardships? Temporary.

If we move through today believing that truth, how might it change our behavior? Would we give our attention to the same thoughts and feelings? Friend, what or who can you run through the “temporary” test today? Because if it isn’t Jesus, your time is better spent elsewhere—on the Person who is eternal, steadfast, and meaning-full! Nothing about Jesus is fleeting or temporary, so rest in that promise today.

Our Father, help us today to see the difference between what is temporary and what is You. Guide our thoughts and actions as we walk through this day. Help us to rely on You and find our confidence in You, remembering that this is not our home, but a chance to glorify You and point people to Your Kingdom.