“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all isvanity.”

  - Ecclesiastes 1.2

A mind devoted to vain cares knows not how to keep measure.

  - Columbanus, Verses to Hunaldus, Irish, 7th century[1]

Vision
Solomon described as “vanity” anything in life undertaken from any perspective other than that of knowing, trusting, serving, and honoring God.

People are made to live “under the heavens”, he advised his son – that is, with one eye at all times on the Lord and our hearts always open to His counsel and leading. To live otherwise is to live “under the sun” – that is, with material reality the farthest horizon we can envision.

Yet this perspective can never satisfy the deep needs of our souls. God has put eternity in our hearts, and when our minds are filled with worldly ambitions and vain cares, we can’t take the true measure of things. We’re not looking at the whole of reality, so we don’t see any of it as it really is.

If we’re always engaging relationships, work, cultural activities, and political involvement from an “under the sun” perspective, we’re always going to be disappointed in the results, because we’ll never be able to use, enjoy, or benefit from these things the way God intends.

We are called to adopt a different perspective on life and the world: “under the heavens,” not “under the sun.”

The more we live “under the heavens” in every area of our lives, the more satisfying and fruitful our lives will be. We who know Jesus Christ have the high privilege of possessing His mind, so that we can see and know things the way that God does – not completely, but truly (1 Cor. 2.16; Eccl. 3.11).

This means that every task at work, every conversation, every meeting, everything we do with our spouses or children – all these can be “under the heavens” experiences, filled with meaning, significance, truth, goodness, beauty, and hope.

We don’t have to live empty, unsatisfying lives. Rather, trusting in Jesus, looking to Him, and drawing closer to Him, let us lay aside all vain cares and take the true measure of our everyday reality, until we are able to discover the glory with which it is fraught, increasingly, day by day.

Set your mind on the things that are above, where Christ is seated in heavenly places (Col. 3.1-3). Now, living from that perspective, let the hope in which you stand fill and beautify everything you do (Rom. 5.1, 2; 1 Pet. 3.15).

Psalm 47.7-9 (Truro: “Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns”)
God is the King of all the earth, sing praise to Him with glorious psalms!
He rules the nations by Hiw worth, and on His throne receives their alms.

Princes of peoples gather all to Abraham and to our God.
Exalt the Lord, and on Him call – the earth is His, so praise our God!

Lord, take away every vain care or thought and help me to see things as You do.

The eye of the heart
Paul says the “eye of the heart” is the means whereby we can focus on the unseen things of Christ and His glory (Eph. 1.15-23). We are citizens of this heavenly realm; we have court privileges! Should we not make the most of this great blessing, and familiarize ourselves with the terrain? We’ve prepared a series of studies designed to help you live more consistently “under the heavens.” The Landscape of Unseen Things provides a tour de force of that glorious realm which Paul commends as our proper perspective on life. Order your copy from our online store today – in fact, order two, and invite a friend to join you in this exciting challenge.

And share with your pastor and shepherds what you’re learning, urging them to lead you more deeply into that “under the heavens” way of living.

Psalms for May 4 and 5, 2015 (morning, evening)
May 4
Morning – Psalm 119.9-16; Psalm 2
Evening – Psalm 77

May 5
Morning – Psalm 119.17-24; Psalm 3
Evening – Psalm 78

T. M. Moore, Principal
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.