
Ecclesiastes is a unique book in the Bible that presents a raw, unfiltered look at life and asks some difficult questions about purpose and meaning. The recurring phrase in Ecclesiastes is “Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.” By ‘vanity,’ the author refers to the meaningless, transient, and futile nature of life as lived “under the sun” - a life focused merely on earthly pursuits and pleasures.
Consider the relentless cycle of nature, the sun rising and setting, the wind blowing round and round, the rivers flowing into the sea but never filling it. This cyclical, repetitive pattern that the author observes in nature, he also sees in human life. We labor, accumulate, achieve, and yet, in the grand scheme of things, our efforts can seem as futile as trying to fill the sea with rivers.
Such is life under the sun, distorted by the curse of sin. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, sin has marred our existence, turning work into toil, relationships into strife, and life into a seemingly endless cycle of birth, struggle, and death.
Take, for instance, the current events. We see wars and conflicts, economic inequality, environmental crises, and a pandemic that has turned our world upside down. Despite our best efforts and advancements, we seem to be running in circles, unable to escape the problems that plague our world. This is the futility that sin brings.
Despite living in a world under the curse of sin, we are not condemned to despair. Instead, we are invited to live in hope, a hope anchored in Christ’s redemptive work where we can find REST. If you are on the brink of burnout, today is a great day to RESTART—REST.
Outline
Living under the shadow of sin’s curse, we must learn to live in the
Slow your
The future cannot be
To the weary soul, Jesus offers rest, not just as a
Application
Has Jesus reversed the curse for you?
Are you living “under the sun” or under the Son?
Where does REST need a RESTART for you?
Questions
- What are some activities you engage in that seem monotonous and unending?
- To what does the phrase “under the sun” refer? How does that limited experience render everything we do meaningless?
- Why do we always think true happiness will be found in something we lack right now?
- Read Matthew 6:19–34 and Mark 8:34–38. Can you see the contrast between ‘under the sun’ thinking and a true biblical perspective on life?
- List your priorities. What are the things that take up most of your time? Which are the most valuable? Are you allocating the right amount of time to each one according to its value?