Often we have heard of people making it to the top and they tell us that “there’s nothing there.” in other words, their climb to the top, their rise to fame, their pleasures in life are all meaningless.
This entry has been inspired by the message of Ravi Zacharias “What is worthwhile under the sun”
meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure
Pain and pleasure are two very common things we experience in life. Everyone from great to small has had their share of pain and pleasure. I believe both need to exist for life to be, in a sense, in balance.
If you find honey, eat just enough–too much of it, and you will vomit. – Proverbs 25:16
Now, you have to understand, pleasure is a good thing – it is created by God for us to enjoy and feel. It is something that God has intended for our lives in order for us to feel His hand and hear His voice. It is something God wants us to experience in this World that He has called “good”.
Then why do the people who “get there” claim that life is indeed meaningless? Indeed even Solomon in all his glory found “everything under the sun” (which means outside of God) to be meaningless. I’ve found Ravi Zacharias’ explanation of it (from G.K. Chesterton) astounding. He said:
“Meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain. Meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. When you have exhausted that last dream and you find it leaves you barren or empty”
I was stunned. Indeed it is when you have exhausted all pleasure and dreams that you find it leaves you empty that meaninglessness seems to take over your thoughts.
And we have to realize and learn from these men who have made it to the top, that everything under the sun and apart from God – is indeed meaningless. Only He is big enough to fill our longing for meaning in life. Pleasure can never replace His purposes.