We are continuing our summer sermon series titled “Living Life Backwards,” a study through the book of Ecclesiastes. This series invites us to reflect on our lives by considering the end from the beginning.

Reflecting on Our Lives

The Brevity of Life

Our lives are brief, much like the sands in an hourglass. The Psalmist implores us in Psalm 90:12 to “number our days so we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Living with the end in mind can significantly alter our values, daily conversations, and the way we care for others. What passions would you pursue, and how would you engage with God if you knew your time was limited?

Solomon’s Wisdom

The book of Ecclesiastes centers on King Solomon, a man blessed with unparalleled wisdom and wealth. Despite his material abundance, Solomon repeatedly emphasizes that worldly possessions and achievements are ultimately meaningless without a deeper purpose.

Potential Distractions from Living Life on Purpose

Pleasure and Comfort

In Ecclesiastes 2:1, Solomon declares, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” Yet, he concludes that this too is meaningless. Our society often prioritizes convenience and comfort, but this pursuit can distract us from living a purposeful life.

Possessions and Wealth

Solomon, with all his wealth, states in Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 that his accomplishments were ultimately meaningless. While wealth and possessions can be blessings, they should not distract us from recognizing God as the ultimate provider and the true purpose of our lives.

Accomplishment

Many of us build our lives around our accomplishments, such as education or fitness goals, seeking respect and validation. However, if these pursuits become our sole focus, we miss out on other meaningful aspects of life.

Approval

Proverbs 29:25 warns that the “fear of man will prove to be a snare.” In our quest for approval, we can become distracted by social media and the desire for followers, losing sight of what truly matters.

Expectations

We often feel the weight of others’ expectations, which can cloud our understanding of our true purpose. Shifting our perspective helps us find our purpose and avoid chasing meaningless pursuits.

Finding Our Purpose

Seeking God’s Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 advises us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” promising that everything else will follow. We should prioritize our relationship with God over worldly pursuits.

Practical Steps to Finding Purpose

Prayer

Solomon prayed for wisdom, not wealth, demonstrating the importance of asking God for the right things.

People

Surround yourself with wise and discerning individuals. Proverbs 1:5 encourages us to listen and learn from others.

Practice

Explore your interests and talents. Practice helps identify our calling in life.

Pain

Acknowledging and learning from pain can guide us toward our purpose.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Purpose

Ecclesiastes 12:13 concludes that our duty is to “fear God and keep his commandments.” Jesus further simplifies our purpose in Matthew 22:37-40, summarizing it as: Love God and love people.

Practical Application

Consider this perspective-setting question: “In this season, who and what am I responsible for today?” By focusing on this, we can live purposefully, embracing the brevity of life with intentionality and love.

This week, let’s start by loving God and loving people, allowing these principles to guide our actions and decisions.