Life “Under the Sun”: Ecclesiastes 1
- jordanmuck
- Sep 14
- 2 min read
When you open Ecclesiastes, you immediately sense a different tone than most of Scripture. The Teacher begins bluntly: "vanity of vanity, all is vanity.” At first glance it almost feels unspiritual - like a sigh of frustration in the middle of a busy week. But that tension is exactly the point.
The Endless Cycles of Life
Ecclesiastes 1 paints a picture of life on repeat. Generations come and go, the sun rises and sets, rivers flow but the sea is never full. The Teacher notices the grind and asks the question many of us are too distracted to voice: What do we really gain from all our work under the sun?
If we’re honest, our own lives often feel like that treadmill. Emails, errands, sports schedules, endless to-do lists - yet the “finish line” keeps moving.
Life “Under the Sun” vs. Life With the Son
The phrase “under the sun” is key. The Teacher is describing life with no reference to God - life viewed purely from an earthly vantage point. From that perspective, everything really does feel empty. Without an eternal anchor, accomplishments and pleasures fade like mist.
But Ecclesiastes is not advocating despair. Instead, it drives us to see that true meaning can only be found beyond the sun—found in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In Him, our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Gospel Hope for Today
When we trust Jesus, our work, relationships, and even our ordinary routines take on eternal significance. Folding laundry becomes service. A conversation with a neighbor becomes mission. Joy isn’t tied to fleeting success but to the steadfast love of God.
So, if you’re weary of life’s endless cycles, let the Teacher’s honesty point you upward. The search for purpose ends not in frustration but in the One who makes all things new.
Watch the Full Sermon here.
Ask Yourself:
Where do I feel caught in a repetitive cycle right now?
How might remembering Christ’s presence reshape that part of my life?
What’s one small action I can take this week to live with an “above the sun” perspective?
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