Why Life Online Feels So Empty - Bobby Jamieson and Collin Hansen

Uh Bobby, how did preaching and then Uh Bobby, how did preaching and then writing about Ecclesiastes change your writing about Ecclesiastes change your writing about Ecclesiastes change your life? life? life? >> Yeah, it um it certainly exposed and >> Yeah, it um it certainly exposed and >> Yeah, it um it certainly exposed and continues to uh expose some ungodly continues to uh expose some ungodly continues to uh expose some ungodly ambition, some ungodly striving. Oh, a ambition, some ungodly striving. Oh, a ambition, some ungodly striving. Oh, a sense of kind of always wanting to do sense of kind of always wanting to do sense of kind of always wanting to do the next thing or get the next thing. If the next thing or get the next thing. If the next thing or get the next thing. If I would have thought, oh, I've got those I would have thought, oh, I've got those I would have thought, oh, I've got those kind of desires pretty well under kind of desires pretty well under kind of desires pretty well under control. I'm I'm aware of pridefully control. I'm I'm aware of pridefully control. I'm I'm aware of pridefully striving after this or that. you sit striving after this or that. you sit striving after this or that. you sit with Ecclesiastes and it just goes with Ecclesiastes and it just goes with Ecclesiastes and it just goes deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper >> layers. Yeah. And and I also think that >> layers. Yeah. And and I also think that >> layers. Yeah. And and I also think that the sense of receiving life as a gift, the sense of receiving life as a gift, the sense of receiving life as a gift, recognizing how much is outside of my recognizing how much is outside of my recognizing how much is outside of my control. Uh recognizing, you know, it's control. Uh recognizing, you know, it's control. Uh recognizing, you know, it's like the Calvin and Hobbs comic where I like the Calvin and Hobbs comic where I like the Calvin and Hobbs comic where I forget, you know, Calvin says to Hobbes, forget, you know, Calvin says to Hobbes, forget, you know, Calvin says to Hobbes, "If you could have anything, what would "If you could have anything, what would "If you could have anything, what would you want?" And Hobbs says, "A sandwich, you want?" And Hobbs says, "A sandwich, you want?" And Hobbs says, "A sandwich, you know, and and what about you?" And you know, and and what about you?" And you know, and and what about you?" And Calvin says, "Oh, I want to be supreme Calvin says, "Oh, I want to be supreme Calvin says, "Oh, I want to be supreme dictator of the universe and have people dictator of the universe and have people dictator of the universe and have people like him. You know, and then Hobbs like him. You know, and then Hobbs like him. You know, and then Hobbs later, he's eating a sandwich and he later, he's eating a sandwich and he later, he's eating a sandwich and he says, "Well, I got my wish." You know, says, "Well, I got my wish." You know, says, "Well, I got my wish." You know, I think I think learning to receive what I think I think learning to receive what I think I think learning to receive what God has already given me. Learning to God has already given me. Learning to God has already given me. Learning to receive the limits of the lot he's receive the limits of the lot he's receive the limits of the lot he's ordained for me as good for me uh are ordained for me as good for me uh are ordained for me as good for me uh are lessons I continue to learn. Kind of my lessons I continue to learn. Kind of my lessons I continue to learn. Kind of my ambition butdding up against hard ambition butdding up against hard ambition butdding up against hard realities and limits he's ordained. the realities and limits he's ordained. the realities and limits he's ordained. the kind of twofold uh don't strive for the kind of twofold uh don't strive for the kind of twofold uh don't strive for the wind and receive the goodness of what wind and receive the goodness of what wind and receive the goodness of what God's given you as a gift. Uh yeah, that God's given you as a gift. Uh yeah, that God's given you as a gift. Uh yeah, that continues to to bear fruit in my life.

continues to to bear fruit in my life. continues to to bear fruit in my life. >> Is there anything that changed like a >> Is there anything that changed like a >> Is there anything that changed like a specific practice or thought or specific practice or thought or specific practice or thought or intention or plan that changed as you intention or plan that changed as you intention or plan that changed as you were confronted by Ecclesiastes? You were confronted by Ecclesiastes? You were confronted by Ecclesiastes? You know, the chapter on time was deeply know, the chapter on time was deeply know, the chapter on time was deeply personal and these are even lessons I'm personal and these are even lessons I'm personal and these are even lessons I'm learning and working on right now and learning and working on right now and learning and working on right now and talking to my wife about and um but time talking to my wife about and um but time talking to my wife about and um but time we so often try to master time and it's we so often try to master time and it's we so often try to master time and it's like what what Lewis says in the Screw like what what Lewis says in the Screw like what what Lewis says in the Screw Tape letters, you know, at all costs you Tape letters, you know, at all costs you Tape letters, you know, at all costs you want to foster this illusion that that want to foster this illusion that that want to foster this illusion that that the subject is the master of his time, the subject is the master of his time, the subject is the master of his time, that the time belongs to him, that it's that the time belongs to him, that it's that the time belongs to him, that it's like a possession he can claim and say like a possession he can claim and say like a possession he can claim and say mine. Ecclesiastes has so much to say mine. Ecclesiastes has so much to say mine. Ecclesiastes has so much to say about how we are not in control of time. about how we are not in control of time. about how we are not in control of time. times will happen to us that we do not times will happen to us that we do not times will happen to us that we do not want. Uh God is in control of them. And want. Uh God is in control of them. And want. Uh God is in control of them. And in this mortal life under conditions of in this mortal life under conditions of in this mortal life under conditions of the fall, bad will replace good, good the fall, bad will replace good, good the fall, bad will replace good, good will replace bad. There's a time for will replace bad. There's a time for will replace bad. There's a time for singing, a time for mourning, there's a singing, a time for mourning, there's a singing, a time for mourning, there's a time for war, there's a time for peace. time for war, there's a time for peace. time for war, there's a time for peace. And there's a kind of merrygoround And there's a kind of merrygoround And there's a kind of merrygoround quality to our lives that ultimately quality to our lives that ultimately quality to our lives that ultimately we're called to submit to and trust God we're called to submit to and trust God we're called to submit to and trust God in. And I think for me, uh, okay, here's in. And I think for me, uh, okay, here's in. And I think for me, uh, okay, here's one very concrete practice. It didn't so one very concrete practice. It didn't so one very concrete practice. It didn't so much come out of writing the book, but much come out of writing the book, but much come out of writing the book, but I'm working on it now. I think when I'm working on it now. I think when I'm working on it now. I think when there's a clear providential assignment there's a clear providential assignment there's a clear providential assignment or limit uh serve my family in this way, or limit uh serve my family in this way, or limit uh serve my family in this way, be with my kids, give give this to be with my kids, give give this to be with my kids, give give this to faithfully steward the lot God has given faithfully steward the lot God has given faithfully steward the lot God has given me rather than striving for something me rather than striving for something me rather than striving for something else. To not view it mentally as kind of else. To not view it mentally as kind of else. To not view it mentally as kind of oh there's a trade-off here and I could oh there's a trade-off here and I could oh there's a trade-off here and I could be doing X or it's competing with Y or be doing X or it's competing with Y or be doing X or it's competing with Y or it's co or it's costing me in sort of it's co or it's costing me in sort of it's co or it's costing me in sort of you know time management. it's costing

you know time management. it's costing you know time management. it's costing me this this opportunity cost that I me this this opportunity cost that I me this this opportunity cost that I could just if this is the providential could just if this is the providential could just if this is the providential assignment it's just a thing I have to assignment it's just a thing I have to assignment it's just a thing I have to do and it's the thing I get to do and I do and it's the thing I get to do and I do and it's the thing I get to do and I should be joyful and cheerful in doing should be joyful and cheerful in doing should be joyful and cheerful in doing it and yeah there's a certain miserly it and yeah there's a certain miserly it and yeah there's a certain miserly mastery that's deep in my heart of the mastery that's deep in my heart of the mastery that's deep in my heart of the way I want to relate to time that I way I want to relate to time that I way I want to relate to time that I think Ecclesiastes shook loose and needs think Ecclesiastes shook loose and needs think Ecclesiastes shook loose and needs to keep shaking loose. to keep shaking loose. to keep shaking loose. >> Yeah. Oh, that's good. Um, Bobby, if >> Yeah. Oh, that's good. Um, Bobby, if >> Yeah. Oh, that's good. Um, Bobby, if knowledge, if more knowledge means more knowledge, if more knowledge means more knowledge, if more knowledge means more sadness, does that make us in the sadness, does that make us in the sadness, does that make us in the internet age the saddest people ever? internet age the saddest people ever? internet age the saddest people ever? Well, I do think that kind of um Well, I do think that kind of um Well, I do think that kind of um immediate exposure to every possible immediate exposure to every possible immediate exposure to every possible tragedy, disaster, I do think as so many tragedy, disaster, I do think as so many tragedy, disaster, I do think as so many people have observed and increasingly so people have observed and increasingly so people have observed and increasingly so in the past, you know, decade, that is in the past, you know, decade, that is in the past, you know, decade, that is hard to handle and we're sort of not hard to handle and we're sort of not hard to handle and we're sort of not really wired for that. And it it takes really wired for that. And it it takes really wired for that. And it it takes some work to kind of put up appropriate some work to kind of put up appropriate some work to kind of put up appropriate boundaries for the things you're going boundaries for the things you're going boundaries for the things you're going to let yourself be exposed to. So yeah, to let yourself be exposed to. So yeah, to let yourself be exposed to. So yeah, there in the internet age, I do think there in the internet age, I do think there in the internet age, I do think there we can experience the truth of there we can experience the truth of there we can experience the truth of what uh Cohellet says like um I'm what uh Cohellet says like um I'm what uh Cohellet says like um I'm looking at uh I'm looking at chapter 2 looking at uh I'm looking at chapter 2 looking at uh I'm looking at chapter 2 where he has a couple of sayings about where he has a couple of sayings about where he has a couple of sayings about this. Um he does say some positive this. Um he does say some positive this. Um he does say some positive things about knowledge but he asks like things about knowledge but he asks like things about knowledge but he asks like uh why what happens to the fool will uh why what happens to the fool will uh why what happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been happen to me also. Why then have I been happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise? In other words, there's a so very wise? In other words, there's a so very wise? In other words, there's a whole lot of knowledge and even wisdom whole lot of knowledge and even wisdom whole lot of knowledge and even wisdom you could acrue that will not change you could acrue that will not change you could acrue that will not change anything. And so maybe the temptation to

anything. And so maybe the temptation to anything. And so maybe the temptation to view knowledge as a kind of intrinsic view knowledge as a kind of intrinsic view knowledge as a kind of intrinsic good or commodity that's always good to good or commodity that's always good to good or commodity that's always good to stockpile. Yeah, that can especially stockpile. Yeah, that can especially stockpile. Yeah, that can especially tempt us in the internet age to then tempt us in the internet age to then tempt us in the internet age to then ask, well, what can I do about it? Um, ask, well, what can I do about it? Um, ask, well, what can I do about it? Um, and maybe it's not the wisest investment and maybe it's not the wisest investment and maybe it's not the wisest investment of my time, my attention, my energy to of my time, my attention, my energy to of my time, my attention, my energy to learn a whole lot about a whole lot of learn a whole lot about a whole lot of learn a whole lot about a whole lot of stuff, especially a whole lot of bad stuff, especially a whole lot of bad stuff, especially a whole lot of bad stuff that I really can't do anything stuff that I really can't do anything stuff that I really can't do anything about. about. about. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mentioned in my introduction, Bobby, I mentioned in my introduction, Bobby, I mentioned in my introduction, Bobby, the categorical imperative of late the categorical imperative of late the categorical imperative of late modernity, which you summarize this way, modernity, which you summarize this way, modernity, which you summarize this way, quote, always act in such a way that quote, always act in such a way that quote, always act in such a way that your share of the world is increased. your share of the world is increased. your share of the world is increased. And one things we talk about a lot at And one things we talk about a lot at And one things we talk about a lot at the Keller Center are these cultural the Keller Center are these cultural the Keller Center are these cultural narratives, the stories that guide how narratives, the stories that guide how narratives, the stories that guide how we live without us even often knowing uh we live without us even often knowing uh we live without us even often knowing uh that the guiding. And I think you talked that the guiding. And I think you talked that the guiding. And I think you talked earlier about a market economy or an earlier about a market economy or an earlier about a market economy or an explorer nation or a settler nation like explorer nation or a settler nation like explorer nation or a settler nation like we are in the United States. I think we are in the United States. I think we are in the United States. I think this is especially um relevant for us. this is especially um relevant for us. this is especially um relevant for us. Tell us a little bit more of what you Tell us a little bit more of what you Tell us a little bit more of what you mean by this. And I said I think it mean by this. And I said I think it mean by this. And I said I think it feels like something we just assume in feels like something we just assume in feels like something we just assume in our day but it would have been foreign our day but it would have been foreign our day but it would have been foreign to virtually all previous generations.

to virtually all previous generations. to virtually all previous generations. And I'm talking about in the grand And I'm talking about in the grand And I'm talking about in the grand scheme of history, age of exploration scheme of history, age of exploration scheme of history, age of exploration that changes a little bit. There's that changes a little bit. There's that changes a little bit. There's always been people pushing boundaries always been people pushing boundaries always been people pushing boundaries and things like that. and things like that. and things like that. >> But I think just this sense that we >> But I think just this sense that we >> But I think just this sense that we always need more. always need more. always need more. I think that's that's us and it's not I think that's that's us and it's not I think that's that's us and it's not always been that way. always been that way. always been that way. >> Yeah, that's right. So, I'm borrowing >> Yeah, that's right. So, I'm borrowing >> Yeah, that's right. So, I'm borrowing that phrase and that concept from Rosa. that phrase and that concept from Rosa. that phrase and that concept from Rosa. And he's talking about how there there's And he's talking about how there there's And he's talking about how there there's these different ways you try to bring these different ways you try to bring these different ways you try to bring more of life under your grasp to make more of life under your grasp to make more of life under your grasp to make it, as he puts it, available, it, as he puts it, available, it, as he puts it, available, accessible, attainable. And that could accessible, attainable. And that could accessible, attainable. And that could be experiences, it could be traveling, be experiences, it could be traveling, be experiences, it could be traveling, it could be money, and then the it could be money, and then the it could be money, and then the resources and the things money can get resources and the things money can get resources and the things money can get you. Um, it could also be in a in a more you. Um, it could also be in a in a more you. Um, it could also be in a in a more subtle or social sense in terms of your subtle or social sense in terms of your subtle or social sense in terms of your your influence, your range of your influence, your range of your influence, your range of connections, your relationships. That connections, your relationships. That connections, your relationships. That could always be extended. You could could always be extended. You could could always be extended. You could always have a bigger footprint. you can always have a bigger footprint. you can always have a bigger footprint. you can always make more of yourself always make more of yourself always make more of yourself uh kind of socially or in terms of your uh kind of socially or in terms of your uh kind of socially or in terms of your influence. Um yeah and I I think that influence. Um yeah and I I think that influence. Um yeah and I I think that and this is obviously sort of heightened and this is obviously sort of heightened and this is obviously sort of heightened and accelerated in the internet age. Um and accelerated in the internet age. Um and accelerated in the internet age. Um but it but it it creates uh in one sense but it but it it creates uh in one sense but it but it it creates uh in one sense both a fundamental burden and an both a fundamental burden and an both a fundamental burden and an entitlement. The burden is I always must entitlement. The burden is I always must entitlement. The burden is I always must be doing more and kind of maximizing and be doing more and kind of maximizing and be doing more and kind of maximizing and optimizing whether that's in terms of optimizing whether that's in terms of optimizing whether that's in terms of work or money, whether that's in terms work or money, whether that's in terms work or money, whether that's in terms of relationships. So there's a burden of relationships. So there's a burden of relationships. So there's a burden there. you have to make something of there. you have to make something of there. you have to make something of yourself. Uh there's also can be kind of yourself. Uh there's also can be kind of yourself. Uh there's also can be kind of a sense of entitlement that that a sense of entitlement that that a sense of entitlement that that contrasts strongly with Cohellet's contrasts strongly with Cohellet's contrasts strongly with Cohellet's repeated uh use of this idea of a lot, a repeated uh use of this idea of a lot, a repeated uh use of this idea of a lot, a portion. You know, a portion is like a portion. You know, a portion is like a portion. You know, a portion is like a portion of food. This is all that you

portion of food. This is all that you portion of food. This is all that you get served or a lot. It can also mean in get served or a lot. It can also mean in get served or a lot. It can also mean in the ancient Israelite context, you know, the ancient Israelite context, you know, the ancient Israelite context, you know, the inheritance of land that you or your the inheritance of land that you or your the inheritance of land that you or your family would be given. And well, this family would be given. And well, this family would be given. And well, this many acres is only going to produce this many acres is only going to produce this many acres is only going to produce this much. You want to steward it well and much. You want to steward it well and much. You want to steward it well and help it to produce in a sustainable way. help it to produce in a sustainable way. help it to produce in a sustainable way. But if this is all the land you have, But if this is all the land you have, But if this is all the land you have, it's all the land you have. And that it's all the land you have. And that it's all the land you have. And that that's almost a that's almost a concept that's almost a that's almost a concept that's almost a that's almost a concept that's just foreign in our society where that's just foreign in our society where that's just foreign in our society where you would just kind of run roughshot. you would just kind of run roughshot. you would just kind of run roughshot. Oh, it can always be expanded. You can Oh, it can always be expanded. You can Oh, it can always be expanded. You can always buy another field. You can always always buy another field. You can always always buy another field. You can always get bigger equipment. You can always get bigger equipment. You can always get bigger equipment. You can always >> always get another sandwich. >> always get another sandwich. >> always get another sandwich. >> You can always get another sandwich. >> You can always get another sandwich. >> You can always get another sandwich. That's right, Hobs. Why Why just one? That's right, Hobs. Why Why just one? That's right, Hobs. Why Why just one? >> Why just one? >> Why just one? >> Why just one? >> Um Yeah. And I think I think it's a >> Um Yeah. And I think I think it's a >> Um Yeah. And I think I think it's a there's very sophisticated structures there's very sophisticated structures there's very sophisticated structures for attaining those things, for for attaining those things, for for attaining those things, for promoting those things, for pursuing promoting those things, for pursuing promoting those things, for pursuing them in a way that never turns off, for them in a way that never turns off, for them in a way that never turns off, for social media, feeding them back to you social media, feeding them back to you social media, feeding them back to you in a way where you could always, you in a way where you could always, you in a way where you could always, you know, want something more or something know, want something more or something know, want something more or something better. So there's a real discipline, as better. So there's a real discipline, as better. So there's a real discipline, as Cohellet puts it, to accepting your lot. Cohellet puts it, to accepting your lot. Cohellet puts it, to accepting your lot. It that's not just a sort of grateful It that's not just a sort of grateful It that's not just a sort of grateful act of of kind of receiving it and act of of kind of receiving it and act of of kind of receiving it and thanking God for it. I think there's thanking God for it. I think there's thanking God for it. I think there's also a discipline of uh bringing your also a discipline of uh bringing your also a discipline of uh bringing your desires in tune with it and into line desires in tune with it and into line desires in tune with it and into line with it. That is that is inescapably with it. That is that is inescapably with it. That is that is inescapably individual. Somebody else's lot is not individual. Somebody else's lot is not individual. Somebody else's lot is not my lot. Somebody else's family is not my my lot. Somebody else's family is not my my lot. Somebody else's family is not my family. Somebody else's work is not my family. Somebody else's work is not my family. Somebody else's work is not my work. Um God has given it to him. That's work. Um God has given it to him. That's work. Um God has given it to him. That's what that's what uh 5:18 says. This is what that's what uh 5:18 says. This is what that's what uh 5:18 says. This is his lot. God has given us these days his lot. God has given us these days his lot. God has given us these days this work. And so it really stands in this work. And so it really stands in this work. And so it really stands in kind of direct opposition to that kind of direct opposition to that kind of direct opposition to that imperative to always be getting more or

imperative to always be getting more or imperative to always be getting more or making more of yourself. making more of yourself. making more of yourself. >> Is this the same thing, Bobby, as the >> Is this the same thing, Bobby, as the >> Is this the same thing, Bobby, as the problem of meritocracy? problem of meritocracy? problem of meritocracy? If you if everyone can be exceptional, If you if everyone can be exceptional, If you if everyone can be exceptional, then everyone must be exceptional. Just then everyone must be exceptional. Just then everyone must be exceptional. Just wonder how does Ecclesia does does wonder how does Ecclesia does does wonder how does Ecclesia does does Cohellet tackle the problem the same way Cohellet tackle the problem the same way Cohellet tackle the problem the same way of what you just described? of what you just described? of what you just described? >> Ah, that's I I do think it's relevant to >> Ah, that's I I do think it's relevant to >> Ah, that's I I do think it's relevant to that kind of critique of meritocracy. that kind of critique of meritocracy. that kind of critique of meritocracy. Allah Michael Sandell, Allah Michael Sandell, Allah Michael Sandell, >> right? >> right? >> right? >> Um, you know, I think Cohellet he in in >> Um, you know, I think Cohellet he in in >> Um, you know, I think Cohellet he in in living his kind of rise to the top. He living his kind of rise to the top. He living his kind of rise to the top. He particularly highlights it in chapter particularly highlights it in chapter particularly highlights it in chapter two and he highlights a couple of things two and he highlights a couple of things two and he highlights a couple of things both in his first person experience and both in his first person experience and both in his first person experience and some of his observations in chapter 4. some of his observations in chapter 4. some of his observations in chapter 4. Um, you can work yourself into a kind of Um, you can work yourself into a kind of Um, you can work yourself into a kind of anxious stuper, you know, sleepless anxious stuper, you know, sleepless anxious stuper, you know, sleepless nights, uh, being unable to sort of nights, uh, being unable to sort of nights, uh, being unable to sort of stop, unable to to sort of detach from stop, unable to to sort of detach from stop, unable to to sort of detach from your work. He he talked about that, you your work. He he talked about that, you your work. He he talked about that, you know, he talks about giving himself up know, he talks about giving himself up know, he talks about giving himself up to his to despair because like 2:23 all to his to despair because like 2:23 all to his to despair because like 2:23 all his days are full of sorrow and his work his days are full of sorrow and his work his days are full of sorrow and his work is a vexation even in the night his is a vexation even in the night his is a vexation even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is heart does not rest. This also is heart does not rest. This also is absurd. So I think I think Cohellet absurd. So I think I think Cohellet absurd. So I think I think Cohellet pinpoints the inward liabilities of a pinpoints the inward liabilities of a pinpoints the inward liabilities of a work fixation that you know a number of work fixation that you know a number of work fixation that you know a number of scholars have observed. He kind of scholars have observed. He kind of scholars have observed. He kind of diagnosed the workaholic, you know, two diagnosed the workaholic, you know, two diagnosed the workaholic, you know, two and a half millennia in advance or or and a half millennia in advance or or and a half millennia in advance or or whatever it is. You know, chapter 4 whatever it is. You know, chapter 4 whatever it is. You know, chapter 4 verse 7, there's somebody who has nobody verse 7, there's somebody who has nobody verse 7, there's somebody who has nobody else to work for, no sibling, no heir, else to work for, no sibling, no heir, else to work for, no sibling, no heir, no family, but they never stop and they no family, but they never stop and they no family, but they never stop and they never stop being enough to ask why. And never stop being enough to ask why. And never stop being enough to ask why. And so I think yeah, in that sense, a a so I think yeah, in that sense, a a so I think yeah, in that sense, a a meritocracy,

meritocracy, meritocracy, if you if you view the world around you if you if you view the world around you if you if you view the world around you particularly as kind of like a pure particularly as kind of like a pure particularly as kind of like a pure meritocracy, you only have yourself to meritocracy, you only have yourself to meritocracy, you only have yourself to blame. you know, hard work gets ahead, blame. you know, hard work gets ahead, blame. you know, hard work gets ahead, fair play, uh, you know, make the most fair play, uh, you know, make the most fair play, uh, you know, make the most of the opportunities given to you, of the opportunities given to you, of the opportunities given to you, you'll rise to the top. So, not only do you'll rise to the top. So, not only do you'll rise to the top. So, not only do you have to sort of be always working, you have to sort of be always working, you have to sort of be always working, but you only have yourself to blame if but you only have yourself to blame if but you only have yourself to blame if it if it doesn't work out. I think those it if it doesn't work out. I think those it if it doesn't work out. I think those inward pitfalls of work being a kind of inward pitfalls of work being a kind of inward pitfalls of work being a kind of treadmill that your your mind and heart treadmill that your your mind and heart treadmill that your your mind and heart and in a sense body can never get off and in a sense body can never get off and in a sense body can never get off of, I think Ecclesiastes totally spots of, I think Ecclesiastes totally spots of, I think Ecclesiastes totally spots those, you know, millennia in advance. those, you know, millennia in advance. those, you know, millennia in advance. Well, and combine that through Well, and combine that through Well, and combine that through oh expressive individualism. You can be oh expressive individualism. You can be oh expressive individualism. You can be anything you want to be, anything you anything you want to be, anything you anything you want to be, anything you set your mind to, which is then if you set your mind to, which is then if you set your mind to, which is then if you set your mind to being a professional set your mind to being a professional set your mind to being a professional athlete and you fail, you have no one to athlete and you fail, you have no one to athlete and you fail, you have no one to blame because you didn't believe. blame because you didn't believe. blame because you didn't believe. >> Yeah. and and that expressive >> Yeah. and and that expressive >> Yeah. and and that expressive individualism saying kind of this is who individualism saying kind of this is who individualism saying kind of this is who I'm created to be or sort of this is my I'm created to be or sort of this is my I'm created to be or sort of this is my deepest self uh makes it even more of a deepest self uh makes it even more of a deepest self uh makes it even more of a personal kind of attack on your worth an personal kind of attack on your worth an personal kind of attack on your worth an attack on your value you know attack on your value you know attack on your value you know Ecclesiastes doesn't address this Ecclesiastes doesn't address this Ecclesiastes doesn't address this question directly but but there has to question directly but but there has to question directly but but there has to be like if if you're if you're aiming at be like if if you're if you're aiming at be like if if you're if you're aiming at that type of uh elite endeavor at any that type of uh elite endeavor at any that type of uh elite endeavor at any level you know there there has to be level you know there there has to be level you know there there has to be some way in which you can you can some way in which you can you can some way in which you can you can distinguish striving for excellence from distinguish striving for excellence from distinguish striving for excellence from striving for superiority um even in a striving for superiority um even in a striving for superiority um even in a competitive endeavor like like sports, competitive endeavor like like sports, competitive endeavor like like sports, you know, there's a winner, there's a you know, there's a winner, there's a you know, there's a winner, there's a loser, somebody comes first, there has loser, somebody comes first, there has loser, somebody comes first, there has to be a sense of, you know, even even as to be a sense of, you know, even even as to be a sense of, you know, even even as important as winning is, to use the important as winning is, to use the important as winning is, to use the cliche, you know, winning can't be cliche, you know, winning can't be cliche, you know, winning can't be everything. Um, I think I think

everything. Um, I think I think everything. Um, I think I think Ecclesiastes would Yeah, in a sense, Ecclesiastes would Yeah, in a sense, Ecclesiastes would Yeah, in a sense, Ecclesiastes is a very anti-expressive Ecclesiastes is a very anti-expressive Ecclesiastes is a very anti-expressive individualist book. individualist book. individualist book. >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> I think that's why it's timely for our >> I think that's why it's timely for our >> I think that's why it's timely for our day. day. day. >> Who who you are is fundamentally given, >> Who who you are is fundamentally given, >> Who who you are is fundamentally given, not fundamentally achieved. not fundamentally achieved. not fundamentally achieved. You know, you have to start with the You know, you have to start with the You know, you have to start with the giveness of life itself. The giveness of giveness of life itself. The giveness of giveness of life itself. The giveness of every good thing in your life. Kind of every good thing in your life. Kind of every good thing in your life. Kind of wake up, look around. God has given you wake up, look around. God has given you wake up, look around. God has given you so much. Uh what God has given you is so much. Uh what God has given you is so much. Uh what God has given you is always more fundamental, more important. always more fundamental, more important. always more fundamental, more important. It's a bigger deal than anything you It's a bigger deal than anything you It's a bigger deal than anything you make of it. You're required to be a make of it. You're required to be a make of it. You're required to be a faithful steward. Uh but you didn't make faithful steward. Uh but you didn't make faithful steward. Uh but you didn't make it in the first place. He's the one, as it in the first place. He's the one, as it in the first place. He's the one, as it were, who cooked the meal. He's the it were, who cooked the meal. He's the it were, who cooked the meal. He's the one who aortioned it out to you. Uh your one who aortioned it out to you. Uh your one who aortioned it out to you. Uh your job is to eat and enjoy. job is to eat and enjoy. job is to eat and enjoy. >> Yeah. The expressive individualist is >> Yeah. The expressive individualist is >> Yeah. The expressive individualist is more rousoian with the sense that I've more rousoian with the sense that I've more rousoian with the sense that I've been born into this world with in inward been born into this world with in inward been born into this world with in inward desires that are always constrained by desires that are always constrained by desires that are always constrained by people on the outside and institutions people on the outside and institutions people on the outside and institutions and authorities. And my whole goal in and authorities. And my whole goal in and authorities. And my whole goal in life is to break free from those. And I life is to break free from those. And I life is to break free from those. And I break free from those by certainly by break free from those by certainly by break free from those by certainly by protesting them, but mainly by looking protesting them, but mainly by looking protesting them, but mainly by looking inside myself for guidance of how to inside myself for guidance of how to inside myself for guidance of how to resist them and how to ignore those resist them and how to ignore those resist them and how to ignore those siren songs of tradition and religion siren songs of tradition and religion siren songs of tradition and religion and family and everything else. And and family and everything else. And and family and everything else. And Ecclesiastes comes back and says, "Life Ecclesiastes comes back and says, "Life Ecclesiastes comes back and says, "Life is a gift. All of life is grace." And is a gift. All of life is grace." And is a gift. All of life is grace." And your problem is that you're prone your problem is that you're prone your problem is that you're prone without the the guidance of the Lord to without the the guidance of the Lord to without the the guidance of the Lord to veer off a cliff.

veer off a cliff. veer off a cliff. >> Yeah. Absolutely. And and at a kind of >> Yeah. Absolutely. And and at a kind of >> Yeah. Absolutely. And and at a kind of infinite velocity in the sense that infinite velocity in the sense that infinite velocity in the sense that Ecclesiastes keeps highlighting that our Ecclesiastes keeps highlighting that our Ecclesiastes keeps highlighting that our hearts are insatiable. You know, uh hearts are insatiable. You know, uh hearts are insatiable. You know, uh chapter 6 verse 9, better is the sight chapter 6 verse 9, better is the sight chapter 6 verse 9, better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the of the eyes than the wandering of the of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite. You could even have something appetite. You could even have something appetite. You could even have something in front of you to enjoy, but then your in front of you to enjoy, but then your in front of you to enjoy, but then your appetite goes, well, what about appetite goes, well, what about appetite goes, well, what about something else? What about something something else? What about something something else? What about something different? What about something more? Or different? What about something more? Or different? What about something more? Or or uh chapter 6 vers7, all the toil of or uh chapter 6 vers7, all the toil of or uh chapter 6 vers7, all the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite man is for his mouth, yet his appetite man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. I think Ecclesiastes is not satisfied. I think Ecclesiastes is not satisfied. I think Ecclesiastes is saying that as a kind of parable. You is saying that as a kind of parable. You is saying that as a kind of parable. You have to keep working to keep eating. But have to keep working to keep eating. But have to keep working to keep eating. But that's a sort of pointer to the deep that's a sort of pointer to the deep that's a sort of pointer to the deep structure of our souls where uh I think structure of our souls where uh I think structure of our souls where uh I think I think receiving a good gift from a I think receiving a good gift from a I think receiving a good gift from a good creator is a key part of that. good creator is a key part of that. good creator is a key part of that. That's a more prominent theme in That's a more prominent theme in That's a more prominent theme in Ecclesiastes. And ultimately kind of in Ecclesiastes. And ultimately kind of in Ecclesiastes. And ultimately kind of in light of chapter 3 11, he's put eternity light of chapter 3 11, he's put eternity light of chapter 3 11, he's put eternity into the heart of man. into the heart of man. into the heart of man. >> Uh ultimately being satisfied in God >> Uh ultimately being satisfied in God >> Uh ultimately being satisfied in God alone is the only kind of you know alone is the only kind of you know alone is the only kind of you know silver bullet, the only magic key. There silver bullet, the only magic key. There silver bullet, the only magic key. There is a way to be appropriately satisfied is a way to be appropriately satisfied is a way to be appropriately satisfied with the good gifts God gives you of with the good gifts God gives you of with the good gifts God gives you of food, family, work, enjoyment. There's food, family, work, enjoyment. There's food, family, work, enjoyment. There's an appropriate way to receive all those.

an appropriate way to receive all those. an appropriate way to receive all those. But ultimately, the kind of happiness But ultimately, the kind of happiness But ultimately, the kind of happiness you're on a treadmill seeking to get is you're on a treadmill seeking to get is you're on a treadmill seeking to get is found in God alone.