Vanity. Vanity.

In the King James Version of the Bible, that was the theme of Ecclesiastes. A modern reader might think Solomon was talking about a sense of over-inflated self-worth, as if he was a contemporary of Carly Simon when she sang in 1972, "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you." It's another example of how language changes and different shades of meaning for words and expressions ebb and flow. Really, the Hebrew word in the context of Solomon's overall point speaks to a different shade of meaning for the word "vain:"  meaningless or worthless. That is really the theme of the book of Ecclesiastes. A life apart from God is exactly that, meaningless.

Still, for God's people there are times that we feel our lives are meaningless, aren't there? Don't you get to feeling like there is no point in striving for something? Don't you get depressed with the constant struggle to achieve a life-goal only to see the goal shrink in the distance in spite of your best efforts? Aren't there times when you think the better part of valor is to just throw down the mop, quit the job, walk away from the family, get in the car and drive to the barrenest little piece of wilderness you can find, set up camp, and count down the rest of your days? There are days you have that just make you want to throw in the proverbial towel, aren't there? If not, I am ashamed to admit to you that I have them...far too often I have them. The perceived vanity of life is a common and heavy burden to bear for all. Throw in physical illness, disease, exhaustion, and along with everything else life can at times just be too much to bear. It has always been this way.

For those of us who are filled up to the brim with life's vanity, I invite you to throw down the mop, grab your family, pick up a Bible and join the weary soldiers of Jesus in church this Sunday for a gentle reminder and pick-me-up from the living God as he speaks to you through his wondrous word.

I can't promise you won't catch cold from someone, but I can promise God will give you more than a Kleenex to deal with your life's problems.