If you were to ask me, I kind of wanted to go back to school… why?
There will be tasks that you will be asked to do and fulfill. Requirements to complete. Due dates. Process. Progress. Finish line.
What do I mean by this? In grade school, just do your best, do your homework, be active in school, play with your classmates, and maybe get some awards and then you get to middle school. In middle school to high school, study hard, chase deadlines, be creative and as puberty hits, we enjoy friendships, join organizations, maybe get some more ribbons and medals along the way and then you get to university or college. After all the schooling, you take hold of your diplomas, take licensure or certification exams then you qualify for a job.
I am almost in my mid 20’s and all glory to God, I am able to minister to my family and other people, travel to places, trying every adventure, learning every multimedia, art, music, fashion, design, cook and eat different kinds of cuisines, taking photos, read books, meet strangers, fulfill and perform well in my dream job. Some are on their way to this state, some are the same with me or probably some has their lists longer than mine but that’s not the point.
Why do I want to go back to school regardless of all these things? Primarily because when we were at school, we can vividly see where we are heading. We know where to go, what the next level is, and every upgrade requires so much from us, but at least you can see, and you know what the inevitable is, it kind of makes it easy to set and chase goals.
After school, I hear phrases like, “We are set out to conquer the world. Live your life to the fullest. Do whatever and however you like.” No more freshmen to sophomores, juniors to seniors. You are set out on your own. But I beg to disagree.
I now understand what Jedidiah or famously known as King Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest king of Israel is talking about in Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, and it says:
10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.
It is simply saying that nothing in this world can satisfy our body, soul, and spirit. Not even where you are, who you are, and what you own right now. King Solomon has everything, he even went to the farthest place he could, explored all his riches, all he’s capable of, maximized his authority all to his heart’s content and in the end, this is all he was able to say.
Ever wondered why even if you are in a pinnacle of a worldly success, you still feel lacking? Like there is a feeling of being lost. There is a void in our hearts that only our Creator can fill. That no matter what we achieve is all vanity if it isn’t for His glory. That everything, if the Lord is not involved, is nothing. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:36)
I’d rather delight in His presence than trying to let this world satisfy me, because it never will.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
II Corinthians 5:7
