French philosopher Blaise Pascal wondered why kings wasted hours being entertained by court jesters. Why spend time in the presence of a fool? Pascal concluded that the man who has everything still has one thing to worry about—that he might lose everything. So he calls for the fool, who distracts him from that thought.
King Solomon initially tried to distract himself with laughter, wine, and a little folly. He still felt unsatisfied, so he “tried to find meaning by building huge homes for [himself] and by planting beautiful vineyards” (Ecclesiastes 2:4-5). Then he “bought slaves,” “owned large herds,” “collected great sums of silver and gold,” “hired wonderful singers,” and “had many beautiful concubines. [He] had everything a man could desire!” (Ecclesiastes 2:7-8). But Solomon couldn’t shake the fear of his own mortality. He “saw that the wise and the foolish . . . both will die.” And he thought, “This is all so meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 2:14-15).
Many people today enjoy the pleasures of tasty food and comfortable homes. Some even regularly have “servants” to prepare their meals (in restaurants!). But people with material comfort can still be unhappy. So they distract themselves with entertainment by following celebrities, sports, and the latest gossip, anything to take their minds off their mortality. As Pascal observed, “All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.”
Only Jesus can quiet our souls. Death is a reality, but that’s why we’re believers in Jesus! He’ll return to raise us from our graves, and “we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). We’re set free to enjoy our lives because they possess great meaning in Christ.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Joshua 24:1-31
More:
Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. Why does Solomon say funerals are better than parties?
Next:
Is your entertainment a distraction from death or your enjoyment of life? How can you tell the difference?
Gary Shultz on March 6, 2017 at 6:41 am
Hi Mike: I think Solomon, as you know, looked at death and funerals as many do today, as a door of escape. We wouldn’t be required to continue the grind of a meaningless life. Personally, my entertainment is a distraction from the riding of a stationary bike. Other than to watch the news at times, I find it difficult to take the time to watch TV, which is the most convenient from of entertainment. We use that piece of electronic equipment to babysit, to disengage our minds, in my opinion, on some rather worthless stuff. We seem to do this distraction in degrees, some get lost in entertainment, and that has a ratings, we drown it in drink and some move into drugs. Some, legal, some bad, and some illegal, “self medication” self indulgence and on we go. And Solomon seemed to be captured by the cycle. Jesus frees us from the deep grips of any overindulgence, He shows us that this is the beginning, he gives us hope and shows a much greater place of thought to involve our minds. We have his word, we have the Spirit, to give us greater wisdom than Solomon could supply, and to understand this life is an investment. So, once again we are presented with a question – do we believe? Will we redeem the time? Thanks Mike
gagirllive on March 6, 2017 at 7:50 am
Greetings, Mike. This is a very good topic you’ve brought up…and timely. It seems that escapism is more rampant today than ever. With the acceleration of so much disorder going on in the world, people find it difficult to cope not only with their impending death but with everyday life itself. I’ve read that, ironically, during an economic downturn or national crisis, the entertainment industry prospers more than ever. People run to the movies to escape. I guess it’s just part of our fallen nature to hide like that…from God, from problems, from life. As Christ-followers we are no less tempted to do the same. A few years ago I found myself trying to escape my very painful reality through entertainment also—mostly reading (Kindle makes it so easy) and some TV. It wasn’t bad stuff, but it was where I went to hide from the overwhelming emotions I didn’t want to face. And more than anything, it was the amount of time I spent there. The Holy Spirit brought deep conviction to me and worked so patiently with me until I surrendered it to Him. In my spirit, I clearly heard the Lord say to me, “Stop hiding from Me in this situation. Stop trying to escape this reality. Hide IN Me. I will help you face it. I will bear it for you.” And He did. He still is. God is our Hiding Place. He is the One we can run to and find help, hope, healing, freedom, purpose, and real and eternal life. We can lay down our fear of life and death at His feet because He has overcome both for us. Praise His Name! He is the only distraction that satisfies. Thank you, Mike, for this good word today. Grace and peace to all. ♡
Mike Wittmer on March 7, 2017 at 9:08 am
Gagirllive: I spent all day yesterday at Universal Studios with my daughter. Near the end of the day I thought, “Well, this was fun, but I wouldn’t want to do this another day.” Amusement is great in breaks but you’re right, we can’t use it to mask our pain or hide from reality.
godlove on March 6, 2017 at 10:43 am
Well, Mike, I’m not quite sure I really get why Solomon considered it better to spend time at funerals than at parties in that passage from Ecclesiastes 7. Could it be that he thought the time spent at funerals helps us face the reality of the vanity of life rather than the futility of “chasing the winds” by attending endless parties?
Mike Wittmer on March 7, 2017 at 9:10 am
I think that’s it. It hit me just now that many of the rides at Universal Studio (where I spent yesterday) are about death and escaping from death (mummies, dementors, cyborgs, etc.). I need to ponder what this might mean.
crossman61 on March 6, 2017 at 10:50 am
Very good word for today Mike Wittmer . And also the comments from Gary , and Gagirlive . So true of ,the many different ways we can choose to hide from facing the truths in reality and within ourselves. Some try to find and seek ways of escaping Pain and Sorrow. But we know it will not last If we are seeking those things that do Not last. Only in Our Eternal Life we will find that there will be no more Pain and no more Sorrow. Until then we Must Hide/abide in Me says Jesus , and I Will abide in you. gagirl says it . He will help us face it head on . With Jesus , The Author and Finisher of Our Faith is what we keep our eyes fixed on , He will teach us to face our fears . I think maybe Solomon is saying funerals are better than parties , is it can cause , us and others to think of their/Our Mortality ?
hsnpoor on March 7, 2017 at 11:47 am
For sure that is what funerals tend to do and my Pastor preaches his best sermons at funerals. He becomes almost other-worldly and I can’t think of a better time or place for him to do so. It absolutely thrills me when he gets on about the business for which he was born. You don’t see all the old familiar faces at a funeral and what’s thrilling is looking around to see some of those new faces almost ready to leap out of their seats as they listen to what the Pastor is telling them about the bad news of this sin-sick life and then the “Good News” that God offers us through Christ! When the invitation is extended to accept Christ or, at least learn more (yes, we do this, even at a funeral service), the harvest is amazing (we’ve had 3 funerals so far this year; all were people under 68-years of age). **For those who know something about my struggles with my church, I am so pleased to tell you I’ve found a new church home and I made it official this past Sunday. I rejoined the church I got saved at 26-years ago!! It is the Pastor of that church of whom I speak and, if you’re familiar with why I struggled at my last church, I hope you can appreciate and rejoice with me that I’m back home!! Thank you, Jesus! I’m a happy girl!