Woodhaven Baptist Church

28 April 2003

Dear Friend,

As many of you know and are learning, I pay attention to popular culture.
Pop culture reveals the philosophies of the modern persons. Music,
sculpture, painting, cinema, television, novels and essays reveal so much of the
mindset and heart of our society. I use these examples to compare and
contrast to scripture. Jesus did the same with His use of parables. Alright
Preacher, enough explaining get to the point.

One of the pervading themes among Generation X music is the vanity of
life. Just one example (which there are many more) is "She" by Green Day:

She screams in silence. A sullen riot penetrating through her mind.
Waiting for a sign to smash the silence with the brick of self-control. Are
you locked up in a world that's been planned out for you? Are you feeling
like a social tool without a use?*

What is the purpose? Where am I going? To what end will this take me?
Do I want to go along or is this just the way it is? Why does life feel so empty? I have all the things the American dream says to strive for and yet there is no fulfillment or contentment. I feel trapped. Do any of these feelings sound familiar? Maybe in the quietness of night when you are all alone in the silence, these thoughts come along. THis isn't just a Generation X thought. Twenty years ago, George Harrison asked "What is life?" Thirty years ago, Dionne Warwick sang "What's it all about, Alfie?" Every generation has asked this question after chasing after the vain things that promise much but deliver emptiness. Jeremiah, Paul, and asked these questions also. But Solomon wrote a whole book of Scripture on this subject. It is called Ecclesiastes.

"'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity' What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever." Ecclesiastes 1:2-4.

This is the cheery part of the book. The Preacher goes on through twelve chapters pointing out that all we strive after is as a chasing after the wind. Satisfaction is never gained. So after all this, he clues us in on the answer to the meaning of life.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Sounds too simplistic. So much so even Christians don't try it. It goes against logic and reason. It goes against desires. The answer is one of faith. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways. He told us to really live, we must die to ourselves and the logic of the world. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

With love,

Pastor Scott Patz

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Last updated: 16 June 2005