When you read Ecclesiastes you see that Solomon's life always seemed to come up empty. No matter what he tried he found it meaningless. He begins in Chapter one by telling us that everything is Meaningless! Meaningless! This man who had wisdom, power, wealth and even the favor of God talked about how all this world has to offer is emptiness. As you read Ecclesiastes you begin to get the feeling that Solomon is a very negative and pessimistic person.

He wrote Ecclesiastes in the later years of his life, and as everyone does he looked back over his life and everything he had done and to him the majority of it was meaningless. Solomon achieved a lot in his lifetime and he came to one conclusion and that was how he ended Ecclesiastes. (Ecclesiastes 12) Now all has been heard: here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments." for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Solomon realized that only God could make him happy. He wanted those of us who read this book not to waste time chasing after everything in the world to make us happy. Solomon wanted us to realize that success and prosperity do not last long that in the end we will end up disappointed but true happiness comes from a relationship with God. Nothing in this world can satisfy the place that only God can fill. It doesn't matter what kind of home you live in, what kind of car you drive, or what your bank account says, only a relationship with God can satisfy the longings, restlessness and emptiness inside you.

I don't know about you but the first time I bit into a hollow Easter bunny, I was disappointed. I was expecting, marshmallow, or fudge, or caramel. I was expecting "SOMETHING" and got "NOTHING!"

But, you know what? That's what we are without God, just empty shells. Oh, we may be wrapped in fancy wrappings, and even when you pull away the wrapping there may be an image of what we are suppose to be. But, without God we are as hollow as that bunny. There is no life inside, you are empty and hollow. You spend your time trying to fill that void with possessions, pleasure, power, etc. But, you still fill empty, your life fills meaningless.

Solomon gave us practical and spiritual wisdom in Ecclesiastes. He is trying to teach us that true happiness will only come from serving God. I read this recently and it really spoke to me because of what my family has gone through.

It said......A life centered around God is fulfilling; it will make the "days of trouble" - when disabilities, sickness, and handicaps cause barriers to enjoying life satisfying because of the hope of eternal life.

As long as I serve God I can be filled, because I can have God living in me. I don't have to be hollow, I can be what ever God wants me to be. I can be filled with the fruits of the spirit love; joy; peace; patience; kindness; goodness; faithfulness; gentleness; self-control. I could be blessed with one if not several gifts of the spirit; the gift of wisdom, the gift of knowledge, the gift of faith, the gift of healing, the gift of miracles, the gift of prophecy, the gift of discerning spirits, the gift of tongues, the gift of interpreting tongues, the gift of administration, and the gift of helps. WOW! Did you ever realize what all you can hold if you will just let go and let God fill that hollow empty place inside?

I'll end with this, I don't think that Solomon wanted Ecclesiastes to be a negative book. I think he wanted to lead us to seek our happiness, our passion, our direction from God and God alone. He wanted us to put our hope in God. So amidst your busy schedules of school, work, and pleasure keep in mind these things are temporal and will pass away, but God remains the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Let Him fill the hollow place inside.