The other day I was watching the most recent “Mission Impossible” movie. Of course, Tom Cruise is on another secret mission, and on multiple occasions he’s literally chasing the villains, running as fast as he can to catch the bad guys. It got me thinking: who or what are you chasing these days? We might not be a movie star in an action film, but the truth is, all of us are chasing someone or something.
For some of us, it’s the perfect job, or any job at all. For others, it’s the perfect marriage, a new relationship, a few likes or follows on social media, or maybe just a sense of happiness or purpose. Not that any of these things are inherently bad, it’s just when or if you catch them, will it be worth it? Can they satisfy your soul?
In the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, as he reflects on his life of chasing everything this world has to offer – wealth, fame, success, he concludes in verse 14: “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Imagine the foolishness of trying to chase the wind. But that’s the image Solomon gives us for chasing things that can never satisfy your soul. Instead, in 2 Chronicles 1:7, we hear the story of God coming to Solomon in a dream and asking him for anything he wishes. Can you imagine God saying this to you!?
Yet notice what Solomon asks for. Not wealth, fame, success, or a long reign as king. Instead in verse 10 he responds: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” What does Solomon know that we often forget? A wise life is a soul-satisfying life. When you have godly wisdom, you have all things in one. Wisdom is what leads to putting God first in your life. Wisdom is what keeps you from temptation, what guards your relationships, which guides your decisions, which points you to what will last—eternity.
What if instead of spending the precious years of our lives chasing after everything the world has to offer, we also chased after the wisdom of God? What if we learned from King Solomon, said to be one of the wisest men to have ever lived—what truly matters in this life? Who or what you’re chasing in this life matters. Choose wisely.
Questions for reflection:
- Who or what have you been chasing lately? If someone followed you around for a month with an objective opinion, what would they say gets your time, focus, energy, and affection?
- Read 2 Chronicles 1:11-12. In response to Solomon’s request for wisdom, how does God honor that request? Why do you think God responded with such favor towards Solomon? What do you think this says about what God wants from us?