The Rhythm of Life

Ecclesiastes is a rare and soiled jewel that often lies dormant and sandwiched between the devotion-friendly book of Proverbs and the spicy, love-infused discourse in Song of Solomon. The seemingly pessimistic laments of the venerable author originally sparked such controversy that its inclusion in canonized scripture was threatened. However, after a buffing and a careful examination, Ecclesiastes becomes a diamond that blings like Soul Glow Activator's skull ring on an August day. Considered as part of the Wisdom Literature, the book of Ecclesiastes expresses a refreshing outlook on reality that encourages moderation and knowledge in situations that seem pointless and banal.

Ecclesiastes, which was most likely written around 300 B.C., shatters the religious boundaries of its day by refusing to labor under a false sense of bliss. For instance, the author (known to the reader as Qoheleth, which is a term that means "wisdom teacher") defies the general theology of the day that the good will be blessed and the bad cursed when he says, "…there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility" (8:14). Family Force 5 can identify with this injustice after continuously playing our hearts out for people around the world, yet never getting the opportunity to open for Carmen or Petra. Qoheleth uses beautiful imagery to express the drudges of monotony and the senselessness of action in verse 1:7, stating that, "All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea (like some of the clubs we play) is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again." This concept, aside from being used in a hit by the '80's hair metal/funk band Extreme, is very familiar to any human who struggles with triviality and inconsequentiality.

Despite the author's extraordinary despair regarding insignificance, he continuously alludes to the spiritual importance of admiring one's daily work, stating, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God" (2: 24). This notion is reiterated in 3:12, 5:18, and 6:15, emphasizing the value of enjoying and finding a rhythm in one's labor. The saturation of this concept in Ecclesiastes urges readers to discover their true dreams, loves, and capabilities Whether it is through farming, business, music, education, or any other field, finding one's true calling can be an incredible outlet for any individual, presenting the opportunity to experience God on a daily basis through diligent work and relationships. Family Force 5 also obeys the eating and drinking portion of this command by feasting on lots of fried chicken and drinking plenty of Red Bull.

Perhaps the most well-known excerpt from this book comes from the third chapter, claiming that there is a time for every event under heaven:

"A time to give birth and a time to die
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal
A time to tear down and a time to build up."

In many circumstances, this passage has been interpreted with a melancholy perspective comparing and contrasting birth with death; killing with healing; and tearing down with building up. With all due respect to the Byrds (who wrote an amazing song based upon this passage), this analysis often overlooks the intrinsic beauty of duality found in the excerpt. Qoheleth's observation is not a depressing one, but rather a brilliant understanding that death does not exist without birth, pain without healing, nor destruction without creation. Switchfoot recently explored this notion (perhaps not directly alluding to it) during a lyric that brilliantly proclaims, "The shadow proves the sunshine."

Finally, Ecclesiastes concludes with an assurance that God is the ultimate source of power and control. Qoheleth comes to realize that "righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God" (9.1). Although this realization is humbling, it is essential that we as humans learn not only to accept, but to embrace uncertainty. The author in Ecclesiastes is beginning to develop a mature, sagacious understanding of God, shedding the security-blanket paradigm to which we so often cling. Wisdom is to be valued, but we as mortals can never achieve or expect omniscience.

In summation, although many would equate Ecclesiastes to a depressed emo kid, it is more comparable to an insightful balladeer discovering himself. Through a refreshingly honest lamentation, Qoheleth learns several lessons, including moderation, daily labor, uncertainty, and most importantly, he discovers the fact that true joy is only found in God, and not in material possessions. Not even pink alligator shoes.