Dear Friends and Partners,
As we enter Advent, I've been reflecting on life in our world this year. Two words that come to mind are vanity and vexation. They aren’t very common words today, yet t
hey neatly describe life in this world. Vanity is often expressed by those who find life empty and meaningless, and vexation aptly describes how life goes sideways with many obstacles, resulting in much frustration and at times, despair. The author of Ecclesiastes uses these two words as he explores the world and describes it thus: “what is crooked cannot be made straight…”, and, “…in much wisdom is much vexation…” (Eccles. 1:15, 18).
Ecclesiastes takes us on a journey we all know well, trying to find meaning and purpose as we live in a world that is so clearly beautiful and broken. While we move through the world, it also moves through us; in its beauty, but also in its brokenness and brutality. The author captures the cries of our soul; life is fleeting, confusing, frustrating, and often unfair. Life can be like steam; you can see it but you can’t take hold of it.
Although vanity and vexation are a constant, the author sees that, “whatever God does endures forever” (Eccles. 3:14). What did God do?
The Lord Jesus Christ left His Heavenly abode and entered into this crooked world, and got his hands and feet dirty. He didn’t observe from afar, but he became one of us. He lived and died in the world in which we live and nothing we experience is unknown to Him, not even futility and death. He experienced and understands vexation and frustration. He hears our cries and sees the despair in our faces. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:36) And he invites us vexed and helpless sojourners to find rest for our weary souls in Him, the Incarnate Son of God.
More than that, the Incarnate Jesus redeemed us from vanity and vexation. Life at times can seem futile, but futility doesn’t get the last word. Not only does Jesus give us meaning and purpose in this world, but the last word to all those who believe is resurrection. The Potentate of time and the Creator of the rolling spheres is moving this broken terrestrial ball to the end of history. And He has destined us for salvation. (1 Thess. 5:9)
This world might be crooked, but the new one isn’t. As He sits on the throne, here are his words to us as we struggle with vanity and vexation: “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) And to a people wrestling with a broken world and broken lives, He gives us a glorious glimpse of life in the permanent home that awaits us, the Celestial City in Revelation 21:1-4, a place where there is no vexation, just us and our God who will wipe away every tear from our eye and will make our present pain a permanent past. Glory to God in the Highest!
Merry Christmas to you all,
Sean & Jenn
