Reflection on life
What counts as a gain here on Earth?
"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity." – Ecclesiastes 1:2. The Bible has long foretold the state of the world today, where we endlessly toil, striving to prove our worth in ways that ultimately amount to nothing. As Ecclesiastes 1:3 asks, "What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun?"
When we’re young, we spend our days trying to prove our bravery and courage. But soon we realize that bravery without wisdom is reckless, so we seek knowledge to prove our intellect. As we grow, we understand that life without love feels incomplete, leading us to prove our worth as lovers. In time, we strive to prove ourselves as good parents, believing that raising children is the ultimate proof of love. Then, we pursue power, thinking it necessary to build a lasting legacy. But eventually, we discover that no one is truly keeping score, and the people we aim to impress don’t care as much as we imagined.
We begin to realize that nothing earthly can fill the void in our hearts—a void that only the Creator can fill. All our toils and labour have been a silent cry and yearning for His presence, but we tried to suppress this with one endeavour after another. Finding God and welcoming Him into our hearts is the highest achievement a human being can attain. No degree, number of children, name, or social status can ever compare to God in the life of a person. This, in essence, is wisdom.