Living the Dash
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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Finding Meaning on Monday Morning
Have you ever wondered why even the perfect job can't keep you happy? Why does that sense of accomplishment seem so fleeting? In this episode, we dive into the heart of these questions by exploring King Solomon's brutally honest reflections. Solomon had it all--wealth, power, and yes, the ultimate "dream job." And yet, he found himself hating every bit of it. His journal, recorded in Ecclesiastes, reveals profound truths about why work alone cannot satisfy our deepest longings. For Solomon, the realization was stark: everything he worked so hard for would eventually be left to someone else. Not only would he leave his accomplishments behind, but he couldn't even guarantee that his legacy would be carried on with wisdom. The thought of his wealth, gardens, and houses ending up in the hands of a fool was maddening. Solomon's words are a cautionary tale about the pursuit of earthly success. Even the most rewarding careers, he found, couldn't provide lasting fulfillment. So, what makes the difference? Solomon offers a glimpse into another way--a way that finds joy in God and sees work as a gift from Him. This isn't about changing careers or finding a better job. It's about changing your perspective. When we understand our work as something entrusted to us by God, it becomes more than just a means to an end; it becomes a sacred calling. Whether you are coding software, delivering mail, or making important corporate decisions, you can find meaning when you recognize that it all comes from God's hand. Martin Luther once wrote that worshiping God happens not just in the church, but also at home, in the kitchen, in the workshop, and the field. Solomon's reflections help us see that our work is part of our service to God. When you stop looking for ultimate fulfillment in your career and instead find it in God, everything changes. Suddenly, Monday mornings become less of a drudgery and more of a devotion. Join us as we uncover why Solomon was so frustrated with his career--and what he eventually discovered about finding meaning. If you've ever felt that your job doesn't fulfill you, Solomon's story can offer a life-changing perspective. Get ready to see work differently, not as a burden, but as a blessing from God Himself.
Rising Above the Tide
Are you living your life to build an impressive sandcastle, only to fear the day the tide will wash it all away? In this thought-provoking episode of Wisdom for the Heart, Stephen Davey guides us through Solomon's brutally honest observations in Ecclesiastes. Solomon, the wealthiest and wisest king of his time, reflects on what truly brings meaning to life--and his findings are surprisingly relevant for us today. Solomon set out to explore what would give him lasting happiness. He indulged in lavish parties, built magnificent structures, and sought out laughter and entertainment. He even compared the merits of a wise, orderly life versus a wild and foolish one. But even after experiencing it all, Solomon faced a stark reality: regardless of how wisely or foolishly we live, the same tide--death--comes for us all. Yet this episode doesn't leave us in despair. Stephen Davey unpacks how Solomon's realizations point us to something greater--to a hope that is not confined to the transient realities of "life under the sun." While Solomon found that earthly accomplishments and indulgences could not escape the inevitability of the tide, he also hinted at a different way to live--one that looks beyond the sun, toward the Creator who offers life beyond death. Join Stephen in this episode to understand why life can often feel disheartening, and how faith offers a perspective that changes everything. Discover the truth that while the tide of life may be unstoppable, it is not the end. Instead, it can be the beginning of a new, eternal story with Christ. Let this message help you navigate the ups and downs of life with a renewed sense of hope and purpose--knowing that your true treasure lies beyond the sand and the tide.
Let the Good Times Roll
Do riches and indulgence bring real happiness? King Solomon, who had wealth beyond imagination, thought he'd find lasting joy in laughter, luxury, and limitless pleasure. In today's episode, Stephen Davey unpacks Solomon's candid reflections from Ecclesiastes 2. Solomon reveals how, despite being the wealthiest king of his time, all the pleasures he pursued led him to emptiness rather than fulfillment. Solomon experimented with everything life could offer--lavish gardens, vineyards, extravagant feasts, and comedy performances. But none of these pursuits gave him what he was truly searching for. Instead, he describes it as "striving after the wind," like chasing happiness with a net, only to find himself still yearning for something more. The key takeaway from this episode is not only Solomon's realization that pleasure without purpose leads to vanity but also the incredible perspective shift that he gained by recognizing God as the source of true satisfaction. Whether you're seeking success or striving to "let the good times roll," Solomon's journey warns us of the emptiness that accompanies self-indulgence, and invites us to pursue something far more meaningful--a relationship with God. Through Solomon's honest confession, this episode encourages you to reflect on what brings true fulfillment. It might not be what you expected, but the truth could change your pursuit of happiness forever.
King of the Mountain
Is having it all truly fulfilling? Solomon, the king of Israel, once thought so. He was wealthier, wiser, and more powerful than anyone in his time. He commanded respect, had riches in abundance, and was even admired for his unmatched wisdom. But what did it amount to in the end? As Stephen Davey reveals in today's episode, Solomon's journey left him feeling empty. Through his reflections in Ecclesiastes, we see that power, wisdom, and wealth--the things the world often tells us will bring us happiness--fall far short. In today's lesson, Stephen Davey opens up Solomon's personal journal, a space where the king, once at the top of the world, records his disillusionment with what he thought mattered most. Solomon describes his search for meaning through wisdom, his attempt to find joy in wealth, and his experience with power. He was the "king of the mountain," yet at the height of his success, he found himself with empty hands. Solomon concludes that everything under the sun is vanity--like trying to catch the wind in a net. These powerful reflections are as relevant today as they were back then. They remind us that no matter how high we climb or how much we acquire, none of it provides true fulfillment. Stephen Davey challenges us to see the folly of placing our hope in what this world offers. Solomon explored all of life's pleasures, tested its knowledge, and conquered its challenges, but his discovery was that without God, all these pursuits are ultimately meaningless. Solomon reminds us that life under the sun, when separated from God, is like striving after wind--an elusive chase that leaves you weary and wanting. However, there's hope. Stephen unpacks how Solomon's observations are a call to look beyond earthly pursuits to God, who gives lasting value and purpose. True fulfillment isn't found in titles or treasures; it's found in a relationship with the Creator who reigns above the sun. When we align our lives with God, everything changes--even the mundane gains meaning, and every day is filled with purpose. Solomon's journey is one that resonates with many of us today. We strive for the top, hoping to find fulfillment, but instead discover emptiness. Through today's message, you'll see why it's not the mountain we should seek, but the One who made it. If you're feeling weary or disillusioned with life's pursuits, this episode will encourage you to refocus on the only source of lasting fulfillment: a life connected to God.
Chasing After Bubbles and Chickens
Life isn't about chasing after bubbles or trying to catch that elusive chicken. It isn't about living like some silly legendary frog hoping that maybe fate will deal you a better hand. No, life is about living down here under the sun surrounded by a broken world, where you can't solve every dilemma but you obey and trust and follow your Lord, one assignment at a time.
In a World of Smoke and Mirrors
In the Book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon describes the futility, brevity, and meaningless of what life is like 'under the sun'. He defines life's meaninglessness through several illustrations from the natural world and human nature to reveal that what seems satisfying and what appears to be meaningful isn't. Life tricks you with illusions of significance and satisfaction. Life under the sun exposes whatever you are chasing after is nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Tied to the Treadmill of Life
Does it ever feel like life is like being on a hamster wheel, doing the same things day after day without actually getting anywhere? Does it seem like you toil in vain? Do you ever ponder what really matters in this life? Solomon addresses these familiar contemplations in his book, Ecclesiastes.
Becoming Wise All Over Again
The life of Israel's King Solomon is a study of the highs and lows of a personal walk with God. Solomon gives us an object lesson on what a life can look like when one obeys and follows the commands of a holy God, but also how disobedience and self-focus can derail spiritual growth. Eventually, Solomon comes to the conclusion that a successful life is not wrapped up in what you do or how much you own, but to whom you belong.
The Gambler
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to sit next to a 300-pound pig on an airplane? It happened once--a pig traveling in first class as someone's "therapeutic companion." You can guess how well that turned out. As the pig panicked, passengers scrambled, and chaos took over the cabin. This story serves as a vivid reminder that pride can be just as disruptive--even when it seems justified. Pride often feels like a reasonable companion, something you think you can bring along for the ride without consequence. But like that 300-pound pig, pride will eventually turn restless and disturb everything around it. Paul, in Philippians, contrasts this chaos with the quiet power of humility. After looking at Christ's perfect humility and Timothy's devotion, Paul turns to a lesser-known man named Epaphroditus. Unlike pride, Epaphroditus lived in such a way that he made the journey better for everyone else. He was Paul's "brother," "fellow worker," and "fellow soldier"--titles that speak to a life lived for others and a commitment to advancing the gospel, no matter the personal cost. Epaphroditus didn't get any medals or spotlight moments. In fact, he risked everything, even to the point of almost dying, to serve Paul and the church at Philippi. His story is a testament to humility--to showing up, serving faithfully, and genuinely caring for others. While pride demands attention and disrupts the peace, humility, like Epaphroditus' example, leaves an imprint of love, service, and sacrifice. Today, as you listen to this message, ask yourself: What’s riding with you? Are you letting pride take up space in your first-class cabin, or are you striving to live like Epaphroditus—humble, serving, and selfless? The choice can make all the difference in the journey, both for you and for those around you.
Making Plans in Pencil
Paul planned to visit Rome, but was instead imprisoned by Felix for two years. When he was finally allowed to leave, his ship capsized in Malta. Paul learned early in his ministry that 'the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).