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Futility Under the Sun

“Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:17)

The college where I taught for 30 years strongly emphasized life-long learning. Teaching awards and student honors were often based on it. I love learning. I’d rather spend the day in a bright, cheerful, library than at any amusement park. Many of you who read these words may have spent years on your education, gaining understanding of a certain topic and on following wisdom.

However, at the end of our life’s day, when there is only past and precious little future left, when it is time to evaluate a lifetime of effort, what has it profited us? For some, it opened the door to investing in the lives of young people so that we might be Christ to them. For others, it gave us the privilege of a platform from which to speak of eternity. For most of us, the pursuit of understanding has helped answer eternal questions about God and salvation. These are things “under the Son;” things that are not in vain.

Look for the eternal value in all that takes your time, energy and understanding. What can God use in this pursuit? Things which are above the sun, but under the Son: the only things that count.

By: Donna Bordelon Alder - Professor Emeritus of Biology, Roberts Wesleyan College and Vice Chair of the