Vanity of Vanities by Chris Leeper

 

"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." (Eccles. 1:2) In this passage, vanity means a mist, vapor, or breath. Solomon starts the whole book of Ecclesiastes on the premise of vanity, that life is like a breath. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). If we take a step back and look at our life from the 30,000-foot view we see things very differently than our daily view of challenges and victories. We see that life is a breath, that the things that are valuable are very simple, and that GOD is all we need to concern ourselves with. Let’s take the example of a breath. How much focus and energy do you give to a single breath? How much time and thought do you give to a breath? Most don’t give any thought to taking a breath. It happens so quickly, and without conscience effort, that it passes by as though it never happened. This is how the book of Ecclesiastes describes our life; it passes by so quickly that it is as if it never happened.  Solomon goes into every area of life and exposes the pervasive vanity that drives humanity. “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccles. 1:14). From toiling for gain or amassing great wealth to building beautiful houses and giving yourself to every pleasure this world has to offer, all of it is vanity - just a breath!  How will you live the breath of life you have? We need the proper perspective to live our lives in the right way, because without it we will simply strive and pursue the wind (Eccles. 2:11). Solomon ends Ecclesiastes with two very simple, yet profound, instructions to help us stay focused on what is really important. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all” (Eccles. 12:13). Since our breath of life vanishes so quickly, we must take action now. We must ask the LORD to change every area of our life so as to remove all vanity, and replace it with the simplicity of obedience. Let us pray to this end, and steward the short life we have, so we can reveal the eternal glory of our LORD.

Prayer Focus

Allow the Lord to show you every vanity that exists in your life and repent for it. Ask the Lord to change your desires and perspectives so that they are lined up with His. Allow Him to show you the things that are unfruitful in your life. Repent for those. Ask the Lord to remove all vanity and replace it with obedience to Him and His ways. by Pastor Chris Leeper