A Chasing of the Wind
Almost all of us fall into this trap of “chasing of the wind”- pursuing wealth, pleasure, power and fame. We want to be rich, we want to have fun, we want position and we want recognition. At least at one point in our lives we all sought that and found that life is more than just satisfying our egos (I hope).
Well, Solomon was the wisest king and yet he too fell into the trap and realised in his winter years that everything he thought would bring happiness was futile- vanities of vanities.
“Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecc 1: 211)
Solomon had all the riches:
Solomon had all the riches, King Solomon was richer and wiser than any other king in the world (2 Chronicles 9:22)
He had all the sex and pleasure:
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.(Kings 11:3)
He had power and fame:
His reputation was known throughout the surrounding nations… Every king on the earth heard of his wisdom.(1 Kings: 3-34)
At the end of the chase, he realised that it was all futile- meaningless!
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun. Although everyone knew him as wise(Ecc 2:9-14)
And his last words were:
Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.(Ecc 12:13-14)
So if a wise King like Solomon can fall into a trap of “chasing the wind”, we are very likely to fall into similar futile endeavours.
St. Francis de Sales recommends that we take time often to examine ourselves, our motives and our decisions to see if we are on the right path. This requires quiet time to reflect and to see our true selves. It is not easy to overcome temptations but we need to persevere so that we do not end up losing our peace and joy.
Examine from time to time what are the dominant passions of your soul, and having ascertained this, mold your life, so that in thought, word and deed you may as far as possible counteract them.’
St. Francis de Sales