I am a lover of history; mostly stuff from classical Greece through Rome and what's called the pre-modern era. One thing I've learned from everything I've watched, read, and listened to is that the world will continue turning no matter what we seem to think is important or trivial in the moment. Regardless of who is voted into an office, what people groups are oppressed or free, or what laws are enacted by specific governments, the rotation of the earth won't stop. People will be born and they will die. There will be joy and laughter and there will be sorrow and trials. There are things that people are willing to use as wedges between siblings and friends that really... honestly... will not matter in the sands of time.
I think this is why the Bible seems to take an almost flippant view of things we view as serious. In Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, we see Solomon rip off a dozen different observations on all the things in life that don't seem to matter in the scope of even our own lifespans.
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.” What does a person gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets; panting, it hurries back to the place where it rises. Gusting to the south, turning to the north, turning, turning, goes the wind, and the wind returns in its cycles. All the streams flow to the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are wearisome, more than anyone can say. The eye is not satisfied by seeing or the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. Can one say about anything, “Look, this is new”? It has already existed in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of those who came before; and of those who will come after there will also be no remembrance by those who follow them. (Ecclesiastes 1:2-11)
That first verse sums it up. "Everything is futile". In some of your Bibles it might say "everything is meaningless". Either way, Solomon is sending a very clear message that many of the things we seem to value are things that don't matter in the long run.
This is a message that I feel so many Christians are missing today. "The election was stolen!" "Trump destroyed the White House!" "There are people disgracing the political order!" Isn't all of this utterly meaningless? Someone might be tempted to tell me that we need to save the country. For what? What do I gain if I save the country... a man-made administrative construct to provide rules and order to secular society... but I alienate my neighbor?
Is saving the nation worth losing even a single soul to the fires of Hell?
That's a strongly worded phrase, but I want you to really think about that. As people are quick to share memes, posts, and Tweets, I wonder if they have ever stopped to think about the people they are pushing away? This is the mindset we should have during this and any other season. When I react to the world around me, am I reacting in the interests of eternal and everlasting causes, or for things that are ultimately meaningless in the view of eternity? Am I prioritizing things with eternal implications or kingdoms that won't be remembered in another 1000 years?
Let us prioritize things that will bring pleasure to our souls and glory to God. The kingdoms of men simply aren't worth losing a single soul.
DEVOTIONAL PRAYER
A Prayer for Eternal Perspective
Lord, you have placed eternity in our hearts. Help us to ignore the noise of the world around us and focus on the work you would have us do in the lives of those around us. Give us focus and resolve to dedicate our emotions and energy fully towards your purposes and your holy mission. There is so much to drain us emotionally and spiritually. Keep us strong and bless our journey as we work towards your glory. Amen.
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