Let’s Stop Chasing the Wind

When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile, and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2.11 (CSB)

If you want to experience life the way Solomon explained it in Ecclesiastes 2.11, then live for the idol of “me, myself, and I.” Live for a self-focused outcome and a selfish pursuit of pleasures, and you will find yourself lacking in purpose and direction, passion and joy. Look at the resume of accomplishments and the pleasures pursued by Solomon:

4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2.4-11, CSB; emphasis mine).

Over and over again, he mentioned what he had done for himself, which resulted in him seeing everything as “futile and a pursuit of the wind.” And yet, don’t we see these accomplishments and pleasures as the goal? So much of this list can be connected to leaving our mark or legacy, or the “American Dream” we believe is our right. And if we are honest, we could tailor some things on Solomon’s list and see most of it as the “blessed life.” Things we build. Things we grow. An increase in personal wealth. An increase in influence. Being moved to the top of the class or coming in first in any competitive endeavor. Even many of the Christian books written and messages preached from pulpits are about how to live life so that we experience the personal blessing of following God. And while I believe that God does bless us as we walk in obedience to him (see Deuteronomy 4.40; Joshua 1.7-8; Psalm 128.1; John 14.23; Proverbs 28.14), even blessing us with an enjoyment for the work that we get to do (Ecclesiastes 2.24), and that those things that I listed above can be blessings from God and things that we can do for his glory, our being blessed by God shouldn’t be our motivation. Instead, our motivation should be to bless God. It should be to walk with our God who blesses instead of merely wanting his blessings. And the best blessing of all is simply walking with God.

And yet to Solomon, “there was nothing to be gained under the sun” by achieving or experiencing any of these things. Because of his focus on selfish accomplishments and pleasures to bring him fulfillment, he was left feeling lost. He was left with an emptiness that impacted his whole outlook on life.

So what’s the remedy? How do we move from a place of hopeless futility brought on by our worship of “me, myself, and I” into a place of hope and fulfillment? It seems like Solomon had a small breakthrough at the end of Ecclesiastes 2. “There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him? For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2.24-26, CSB). 

Solomon’s perspective changed some when he focused on God. He still saw some things as futile, but things began to change as he continued to work through things in his journal. Instead of trying to be fulfilled by his accomplishments and pleasures, he found enjoyment in the things of life that God gives. I believe he began to see God as the one who fulfills, and the things God gives to be enjoyed.

So what’s the remedy? What should we do to keep from falling into a futile life of chasing wind so that we can live a fulfilled life? I believe it’s simple.

Love God. Love others.

In other words, ignore self and live in service to others to the glory of God. Paul shared this same sentiment in his farewell address to the overseers of God’s church in Ephesus.

“And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20.32-34, CSB).

To live for self is pointless and futile. To live for the glory of God and in service to others is the blessed life. Not what we can accumulate in life, but what we can give. Not in living in order to be served, but to empty ourselves in service to others. Elizabeth Elliot, in her book, “Be Still My Soul,” made this statement that has run through my mind repeatedly since I first came across it. “Just think of the mercy of God, that He allowed me to carry mops and toilet paper for His glory!” She found fulfillment, joy, and purpose in service to God and others. And so can we.