The Problem with Pleasure

Here is a thought I had this week - Not one that I had expected to think this week to be honest. It is something I heard Ravi Zacharias quote in a seminar on his book "Why Suffering?". I have come to appreciate his very compassionate, intelligent and incredibly gripping way of making arguments and asking and answering questions. And so today in this speech he quoted Mr. Gilbert Chesterton. "Meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain. Meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure."

Ecclesiastes
1
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

This is so profound - because did not the writer of Ecclesiastes make the exact same discovery? And with this I want to ask a question, propose a thought for you today.... Is this the reason for the state humanity is in here in the U.S.A.? Is the reason for all the Anti-Depressants and Anxiety Medication that we chase pleasure to no Avail and therefore feel that all life is "Meaningless?"



I had a very sad encounter with a person of similar background in a Christian forum this week. From a Pagan/Druidic and Wiccan background, he was filled with depression and suicidal thoughts. He bust into the chatroom and stated "I am not a Christian - I just wonder why you all believe this stuff." I shared a bit of my testimony, after which he opened up about his background and we continued our chat and exchanged information in order to remain in touch. He kept repeating he was so alone and tired of pain. Tired of life and it's emptiness.

I did what I knew best to do: I interceded and pleaded for his soul, for hope to somehow blossom in his heart - for darkness to turn to light. At first I thought he had come here to look for meaning, that he was here to find help, support or a friend - you name it But the more I spoke with him, the more I realized something. He was not seeking a way to want to live - He was only vomiting out his anger at God, his displeasure with his statues (even though he also stated not to believe or accept Him) and that a loving God simply wouldn't send him to hell if he were to end his life.

Now this whole experience has shaken me to the core this week, as I felt that kind of hopelessness during my youth before. However I always tried to find the light somehow. To cling to some ray of light - some twig of goodness. Unwilling to believe that my bestest day had already passed.
I was always seeking something better and truthful and good.

Not he - Sadly he did not want to know God - He did not want His salvation and the purpose that comes when you enter into a relationship with Him. The freedom of knowing there is no condemnation for you when you accept His Kingship. We were not meant to wear the crown of Lord over our lives. It is far too heavy.

I tried to reason with him that we simply are not able to create a God with a capitol G in our finite minds! God WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME. Never has He been created. Never has He not existed. Never has He ever been in need of anything. He is in Himself perfection and outside of Himself He is in need of nothing and no one. Yet He created us - a mysterious wonderful plan of love.

You say a loving God will not send people to hell and I say to you: A loving God will not rape your will into loving Him. Forced "love" is rape. And if you want to remain separated from the Creator - then you may do that. God will let "YOUR" will be done. His will is for you to accept His loving plan. To enter into the purpose for which we all long for - which is to love Him. To be loved by Him and to enter into eternal life. But if you feel that is not what you want - then you are free to live your life however you wish. But you must also bear the consequences for this choice. God will not force you to go to heaven and spend eternity praising Him. I doubt you would enjoy this - if in your life you never enjoyed a single hour of worship. So you choose separation from God - a.k.a. Hell to His perfect love.

Sadly I am suspecting that this person to whom I spoke this week might have ended his life. It absolutely breaks my heart. I am shocked and felt agonizing heartache as I realized this. No - he wasn't looking for help - He wasn't looking for a way to live - he was looking for permission to end his existence. He had determined that it was all meaningless. That there was no more hope for some reason. I strongly suspect that he hurt himself for many reasons.

Jesus is the deliverer of imprisoned minds. The restorer of lost Hopes and Dreams. The Mender of Broken hearts. The Redeemer and lover of Souls.
He is as far and as near as you wish Him to be. A whispered prayer or a shout away. You take just one step towards him - and watch him run the leftover 999 steps.


I don't know why I shared this - perhaps just to get it off my chest. Perhaps in hopes that someone else can tell me they have felt this terrible feeling in their stomach before that somehow what I said wasn't enough. That I could not convince that God is Savior. I know it isn't my fault but the gnawing on the inside of my gut... It is there. No matter how many times I repeat that it wasn't my fault.

aw dont feel bad.
All you can do is pray and witness and let God do the rest.

Was it on another forum not this one?

I was friends with one of my neighbours for over 10 years and thought I had witnessed every opportunity and he actually attempted suicide last year. He recovered though but he had a history of anxiety and previous suicidal thoughts and attempts.

I think a lot of what it might be is you just need to stay positive and encouraging rather than try to convince someone that God is real. They know, they just are confused about their own lives, and maybe feel they are a burden.

I was reading a biography about Robin Williams. I dont think people had any idea that he was suicidal but it came a shock to the entire world that he chose to end his life.

A friend of mine flew overseas for her grandmothers funeral as she chose to end her life with euthanasia and nothing the family could say or do to convince her otherwise. She was not actually terminally ill. Probably depressed though. People find loopholes in the legislation in the netherlands. she told them months before and so they all went to gather before she got the injection.

Again you just do what you can and let God do the rest. Hes got His angels standing by. Their confession to you is maybe is a release for them because they cannot express it any other way. Some people dont even talk to anyone about that kind of stuff before they go. Also that person may have talked to someone else as well as you, if they went on a forum. So, please dont feel what you said wasnt enough. its ok to be angry at God He can handle it. Job was. and God spoke to Job.

Heart_Melody,

It is natural for us as Christians to feel as if we "haven't done enough" when we try to share the Gospel and lead someone to Christ and yet that person (as far as we know) doesn't get saved.

Obviously I can't speak for God, but based on your post, I will say that I believe you did what you could to bring the Gospel of Christ to this person. Just thank the Lord for the opportunity to share and don't beat yourself up over what appears to be a "failure" on your part. In my estimation, you haven't failed God.

Thank you for sharing this and I hope that others are blessed through you!

For some reason I keep thinking of a line from a Disney cartoon. Jungle Book, King Louie.

"I reached the top
And I had to stop
And that's what's bothering me"

When we no longer have to struggle, when we have all we need and all we want, it's no longer possible to believe the worldly theory that happiness can be bought by effort and money. We got what we want but happiness didn't come with it. So... now what?

I have a theory that this is why depression is spreading so fast. More people than ever before have much more than they need. It seems depression spreads right along with affluence.

You heart is so tender. You did everything that you could. You were obedient and compassionate. The fact that it has been overwhelming speaks to the truth of your faith and heart for Christ. God sorrows for the lost ones. If you didn't feel anything, if you brushed your hands and said, "Well I said everything that needed to be said and that's it", then you would have missed the transforming power of the gospel.
You can still hope and you can pray. Your job may have been to share the truth. It might be someone else's to bring it further. Please know that God doesn't actually need us for anything. He can communicate his truth, he can convict and he can lead people to himself. We have the task as he calls us, not because he can't, but for his own purposes. Please take comfort in knowing you did your part and bless you for that.

That is why it is said, without God drawing us, it is impossible for us to respond
and truly seek Him, as we are born enemies and locked in our hostility. Asking
someone in such an entrenched state of hostility toward God to seek Him is
perhaps a pointless exercise, and yet, encouraging them to seek truth is
another matter entirely, for if their search is sincere, God has promised to
reveal Himself to them. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Truth