Once considered a positive trait, perfectionism is on the rise in our culture. Unsurprisingly, anxiety, fear, and depression are at an all-time high. Despite what is on display in so many curated Instagram feeds, being flawless is an unrealistic goal, an illusion driven by the need to manage every aspect of our lives tightly. Again this week, we look through the lens of the "Teacher" in Ecclesiastes to wrestle with the question: Can I ever really have control of my life?
The Pressure of Perfectionism
August 21, 2022 • Charlie Koopman • Ecclesiastes 11:1–8
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Ecclesiastes: From Illusion to Reality
The Hopelessness of Nihilism
September 4, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 12
It used to be junk mail. Now it’s spam. We’re talking about the daily detritus that floats into your postal box or email inbox that you don’t want, didn’t ask for, and has no value for your life. So we’ve developed the habit of purging without even looking. But in a rush to discard all the dross, something important might get tossed. As our summer series in Ecclesiastes closes, we discover that not everything is meaningless. Indeed, there is something significant for us to hold on to as the Teacher winds down his reflections.
The Striving of Productivism
August 28, 2022 • Adam Mashni • Ecclesiastes 3:1–11
Have you ever opened the app store for your preferred computer or phone platform and looked for productivity apps? You probably didn’t have to look far! There are dozens of calendars, to-do lists, time blockers, habit trackers, note takers, mind mappers, text editors, file organizers, and focus tools. All pledge to make you more efficient, productive, and valuable. But is that an empty promise? In this week’s passage of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher tells us there’s a time for productivity. But a deeper look reveals a profound truth about all of our work under the sun.
The Virus of Materialism
August 14, 2022 • Jon Morales • Ecclesiastes 2:18–26
Most of us have stuff – plenty of stuff. And if we’re honest, we keep a list, at least in our heads, of other stuff that would make our lives better: home improvements, vehicle or technology upgrades, vacations, etc. If we had some extra cash, we know how and where we’d spend it! Planning for future purchases isn’t bad, but trusting in them to make our life more complete? That’s different and symptomatic of a deeper malady. Fortunately, the gospel provides the antidote.