I’ve been feeling like Don Downer (the male version of Debbie) over the past few days. I was away from Megan, so I was missing her. I was annoyed by everything happening in D.C. with the debt crisis. I was beginning to feel anxious about church stuff since I’ve been away from Columbus for four out of the last six weeks. I’m coming to terms with the poor leadership of the Cincinnati Bengals management, and even my beloved Reds are losing. On a serious note, I was grieving the loss of my mom and the sadness I feel knowing she’s gone.

This morning I found myself glued to Ecclesiastes pouring over the text. It reminded me of the feelings I experienced just a few weeks ago, when I was looking at old photographs of my mom after she had passed away. I knew it wasn’t the first time I had seen the pictures of my mom but there was a deeper meaning and a new significance.

Why was I so gripped by Ecclesiastes? I had studied the book five years ago. The message from the author Solomon was simple: “All is vanity.” Wisdom, self-indulgence, and work is meaningless. They are all meaningless apart from the fear of the Lord. I often find myself worried, anxious, and bitter when I’m not viewing life through the proper lens. I feel the emptiness of loss and the vanity of my labor. Things that should bring me joy feel shallow and the glass is half-empty rather than full. However, when I understand life as a gift from God suddenly my heart begins to change. When I see the blessings of life granted by God to enjoy. And when I am reminded that my labor in the gospel by the Spirit has the power to bring healing and hope, I venture down life’s path with joy and peace.

Life is hard. God gives and takes away. There is much that I cannot control. Thankfully, there is a good God in control so I don’t have to be. My joy is in Him and the blessings he provides. Time to enjoy life!