What Is "IT" ??

It seems all of humanity has experienced a restless heart at one time or another. There is something in us that is never really satisfied, never content. We search for this, we search for that, we want more … a nicer house, a newer car, the most recent cell phone, the newest smartwatch, etc. yet, even when we get all these things we still want more. More of what? It seems to be a real mystery. What is "it?"
Solomon was of the same mindset and he revealed to us his frustrations in the book of Solomon. Solomon had everything in life, yet he realized he had “nothing.” At least anything that really made a difference. Because Solomon was king, he could try everything in life his heart desired. And after having searched the same places we search: intellectual pursuits, pleasure, social achievements, material goods and so on, he concluded that there was no real satisfaction to be found in any of them. Look at his words:
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15(KJV), "I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered."
Solomon is telling us, in short, that through a heartfelt search through wisdom he discovered that everything here on earth is vanity, an aggravation, an annoyance of the spirit. Nothing here, on our own, by our own power, intellect, intention, or device can be made right within ourselves. Nothing. He concluded that which is lacking is so numerous it is beyond mans' ability, potential, or capability to change it and adds, "Vanity vanity, all is vanity." Solomon begins an experiment by revealing his conclusion first; wisdom is meaningless (“under the sun“). He then continues by commenting on what may be observed in nature. Finally, he determines that all of us are restless and unsatisfied. But he attributes this to God. In other words, God has put within man a restless spirit (so to speak). Solomon describes it as a heavy burden or "sore travail" (KJV). Why? Why would God place this restlessness within man? There is a reason. It is to steer us to what is really important but unfortunately, with this restlessness, most seek human pleasures and not God's wisdom.


The “heavy burden” Solomon speaks of is man’s searching for happiness BUT WITHOUT GOD! It is an inevitable result of living without God as the focus of one’s life. It was true for Solomon, and it is true for us. Everything we do is pointless in itself. In the end, all our effort, all our gains, all our accomplishments fade away. They go nowhere...like chasing after the wind. Deep inside we know there is more, but we cannot grasp it. Somehow the “it” evades us. THAT "it" is life without God! Some people try and fill that gap, that nagging emptiness with careers, affairs, pleasures, drinking, narcotics, stimulants, or being idolized and set on a pedestal. Solomon also adds; “what is crooked cannot be straightened.” There are many things we cannot change. Life has many flaws, and it always will …. That’s the bad news. Even the best things in life have defects. The good news is that they do not have to affect our inner joy, the place from which true contentment resides when you are connected with God and have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

External circumstances do not make or break us, it is HOW we handle them that does. Remember, God is on our side (Romans 8:28-33). He will never leave us or forsake us. 2 Corinthians 4:18 tells us, "What is seen is temporary. What is unseen is eternal." Our lives here are but a fleeting moment. It passes like a mist. It can be compared to a single breath or the wind that passes by. It vanishes like a vapor. On your death bed, you'll ask, "what was it for ... all the learning, all the pleasures?" Matthew 6: 19-20 instructs the wise, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Think about it. Most of us work all our lives to attain things in an attempt to fill a need we cannot even identify (the "it"), and no matter how much we attain, gain, gather, or earn, after our passing it is all laid out in a garage sale for it to become someone else's endless search to be satisfied.


Is there an emptiness inside you? Have you burned through different careers, been engaged in a variety of relationships, sought to conquer a particular sport, or increase your talent in some field? Have you acquired materials goods to your satisfaction or achieved what others still strive for? Is your basket full yet you feel that nagging "it" inside? It's okay to achieve, to gain, to possess the blessings and fruitfulness we find on this earth, but your perspective about those things determine and reveals where your true desires lie...in the temporary or in the eternal. True contentment here on earth, regardless of how much you have, achieved, or gained, will only come when you invest in your soul. "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." The one thing so many people fail to invest in is their soul and that is the most important investment a person can make because the benefits far outweigh accomplishments derived from material goods or personal gains. I wish everyone would realize that if you put your soul before anything else and invested in it and not the noise of the world, true contentment will be yours now but more importantly for eternity!
Until next time,
-Pat-