This blog is for addictive and compulsive people. particularly sexual addiction, but it can be applied to any addiction. It attempts to look at the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible from the standpoint of addiction and compulsive behavior. The attempt is to approach the book in a manner that is applicable to all religious faiths and see where and what the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes has to say to us.
We continue on today in chapter 6 and will look at the final three verses. This small section falls within a larger context extending from Chapter 3:1 through 6:12 whose broad topic might be termed "The inscrutable nature of life." This chapter, chapter 6, might be entitled "the tragic circumstances of an unfulfilled life." We are ending that section today. Solomon returns to two themes he has visited before: Immutability (1:15, 3:14, see also 1:9) and Inscrutability (3:11, 22)I have been using quotations from the New International Version of the Bible.
Chapter 6:10 says: "Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he." (Eccle 6:10NIV) Last week we talked about material possessions never satisfying the deep longings of the heart. This week we are looking at the flip side of activity on earth. the divine side so to speak. Solomon is saying that what what exists has been named (Isaiah 40:26) in this particular Heb. verb means to cause to name or as the NET Bible says "foreordained already." The "known part of this verse has to do with appointing (Jer 1:5). Man's trajectory, has been set. The author then wisely states that no one contends with one stronger than he. The implication is that we cannot contend with God.
Chapter 6:11 says: "The more the words, the less the meaning and how does that profit anyone?" (Eccle 6:11NIV)It is pointless and futile to argue with God. The more one does it the more futile it becomes. The staccato rate at which this pointed phrase is stated becomes an even sharper barb to the those who seek to bring God to justice for perceived wrongs in this grand foreordained plan of life. Solomon says this is only futility.
Chapter 6:12 says: "For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?" (Eccle 6:12NIV) These are rhetorical questions. Man is transitory in nature. That is the meaning of "Meaningless" here a vapor. His life passes like a shadow (Job 14:2). No one here on earth can tell man what is good for a certain person. No one can tell him what happened before he came or appeared on the scene and what life will be like after he leaves the scene of human history.
For addictive and compulsive people these verses can be viewed two ways. Much of it depends on where you are with the Third Step: "Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." If you have willingly and freely turned your will and life over to God then these verses fit into the profound paradigm shift that happens in recovery. If the third step is a problem for you then I pray that you will come to a truce with your higher power and accept the reality of the concept. We know that powerless and mismanagement have characterized our lives. But the ability to enjoy life and the good things God has given us is a gift. Solomon has reiterated this point throughout the book. Humans stand on the stage of life for but a fleeting period of time. passing life a shadow. Solomon has led us to know that our lives meaningless here are forgotten in the after life. God knows from the perspective "above the sun" how are lives are orchestrated and how they are to be best orchestrated. When we learn how to live wisely in that context, accepting our place in life then we are no longer the quasi divine center of an ever shrinking internal universe run only by addictive and compulsive drives. The application I make today in this is a return to the third step consciously turning my will and life over to the care of God. Our time is up for today. I enjoy working through and writing these blogs and I look forward to it. So until next time--Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Solomon Project: Ecclesiastes 6:7-9
This blog is written for addictive and compulsive people. It is written particularly for those who struggle with sexual addiction but can apply to all types of addictions. It is written based upon the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes, a part of the Bible's wisdom literature. But it is hoped that those from a wide variety of religious faiths might find it useful. The book has practical wisdom that applies to everyone.
This week we pick up chapter 6 again. The thought is somewhat of a continuation of last week's blog. One might be able to acquire possessions and wealth but not be able to enjoy them. This was repulsive to the author.
We will deal with three verses today and I will quote them in their entirety here. Verse 7-9 state. "All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless," (Eccl 6:7-9)
Solomon says all of our efforts may have to do with daily tasks of living "mouth" here is a figure of speech signifying daily necessities. Solomon comes back to the thought of verse 2 "soul" and "heart." The thought here is that man will work to provide his basic needs but all the other things never satisfy the appetite. The word here is "nephesh" a broad term that one of its first occurrences in the Bible was man becoming a living being. It has the idea of life force behind it. The ultimate satisfaction of one's soul is not in the accumulation of things. Solomon asks of the benefits of wisdom and skillful living. A conundrum of sorts as he places wisdom and foolishness in the discussion here. Some think that he is attempting to say that no matter how wise your desires can outstrip what you have. That may be true but I think Solomon from how wisdom and foolishness are dealt with in the Bible is attempting to set before the reader the two paths: You can follow the attempt to fill the soul's need with things or you can follow the second path found in verse 9. Be content with what you have quite simply. The New American Standard Bible translates this quite simply "What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires."
Blaise Pascal said there is a God-shaped vacuum in everyone that can only be filled with God. That may not be a perfect quote but something to that effect. G. K. Chesterton is to have said: "Whenever a man knocks on the door of a prostitute he is looking for God." The soul was not designed to be satisfied with physical possessions or things, even people. The riddle that the author presents for the reader in this book is what is it to be filled with. In the end we will find that it is God and adherence to the commands of God our higher power.
The twelve step program is build unabashedly and securely on the concept that recovery must include a spiritual experience. It is a paradigm shift to be sure. It is the way of wisdom rather than foolishness. Man must give up the control of mismanaging his life. But the steps provide a process of gaining healthy soul enhancing behaviors and relationships. We learn contentment and serenity, a simple program of recovery.
Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
This week we pick up chapter 6 again. The thought is somewhat of a continuation of last week's blog. One might be able to acquire possessions and wealth but not be able to enjoy them. This was repulsive to the author.
We will deal with three verses today and I will quote them in their entirety here. Verse 7-9 state. "All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless," (Eccl 6:7-9)
Solomon says all of our efforts may have to do with daily tasks of living "mouth" here is a figure of speech signifying daily necessities. Solomon comes back to the thought of verse 2 "soul" and "heart." The thought here is that man will work to provide his basic needs but all the other things never satisfy the appetite. The word here is "nephesh" a broad term that one of its first occurrences in the Bible was man becoming a living being. It has the idea of life force behind it. The ultimate satisfaction of one's soul is not in the accumulation of things. Solomon asks of the benefits of wisdom and skillful living. A conundrum of sorts as he places wisdom and foolishness in the discussion here. Some think that he is attempting to say that no matter how wise your desires can outstrip what you have. That may be true but I think Solomon from how wisdom and foolishness are dealt with in the Bible is attempting to set before the reader the two paths: You can follow the attempt to fill the soul's need with things or you can follow the second path found in verse 9. Be content with what you have quite simply. The New American Standard Bible translates this quite simply "What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires."
Blaise Pascal said there is a God-shaped vacuum in everyone that can only be filled with God. That may not be a perfect quote but something to that effect. G. K. Chesterton is to have said: "Whenever a man knocks on the door of a prostitute he is looking for God." The soul was not designed to be satisfied with physical possessions or things, even people. The riddle that the author presents for the reader in this book is what is it to be filled with. In the end we will find that it is God and adherence to the commands of God our higher power.
The twelve step program is build unabashedly and securely on the concept that recovery must include a spiritual experience. It is a paradigm shift to be sure. It is the way of wisdom rather than foolishness. Man must give up the control of mismanaging his life. But the steps provide a process of gaining healthy soul enhancing behaviors and relationships. We learn contentment and serenity, a simple program of recovery.
Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Solomon Project: Ecclesiastes 6:1-6
To find the rationale behind this blog check the earlier posts. The writer has ended chapter 5 with a positive upbeat view of life. This has come in the midst of his observations concerning wealth and the problems that it brings with it. Solomon ended chapter 5 by saying that it was good to be able to enjoy the food you eat and the work you do. This is a gift from God just like the material things that he gives people. He presents a contrast now at the beginning of chapter 6 picking up the theme of wealth and materialism again. Chapt 6:1-2 says: "I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil." (Eccl. 6:1-2) He is contrasting the thought of 2:24-26, 3:13 and 5:19. The phrase "weighs heavily on men." has the idea that it is common or frequent among men. The viewpoint of mankind "under the sun" is that the accumulation automatically brings contentment and enjoyment. The author says "not so." There are no guarantees. This is a gift from God. To miss this part of life when you have obtained all the other things you could want is "a grievous evil." This has the idea of an evil sickness.
Verse 3 continues on. "A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how Long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he." (Eccl. 6:3) Solomon presents both a factual and an emotional sensory experience here. He begins with the thought of many children but deftly inserts the repulsive thought of a stillborn child. bloody, lifeless, a grievous evil. The repulsive connection is made between a man who cannot enjoy wealth and a stillborn child. The man who cannot enjoy his material possessions is repulsive. He does not even receive a proper burial.
Verses 4 and 5 state: "It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man--" (Eccl 6:4-5) The author expands upon the idea of the stillborn child. It never has life in it. The man who does not enjoy his possessions is like this dead child: Lifeless
Verse 6 reads: "Even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?" (Eccl 6:6) This is a figure of speech. It is a positive affirmation expecting a positive answer. The one who has everything and the one who has nothing not even life go to the same place. The material goods and wealth were of no service to the rich man.
What does this passage have to do with addiction and compulsion? It is found in the gift. The gift of enjoying one's possessions. The gift of contentment. Addictive and compulsive people attempt to find meaning in the next fix, high or sexual release. Contentment is a gift from God, our higher power. When we release the urge to not be addicted when we give up the urge to not be compulsive then we have the ability to attain what we strive for: contentment. In the serenity prayer we pray for our higher power to grant us serenity. We ask for something we realize we cannot attain on our own.
In addition workaholism is a part of the addiction interaction system. We become compulsive in our attainment of wealth to bolster our self esteem, to maintain our addiction, to medicate away the guilt of acting out. Workaholism is almost a cherished attribute in the American corporate culture. But it takes its toll on the person. All the attainments and all the wealth mean nothing if they cannot be enjoyed.
An interesting concept that I have entertained for several weeks is the reason why the decalogue or the first five books of the Holy Bible are not referred to except in the end of the book and in one summation. I think at this point anyway the entire book is to be seen as a riddle not just portions of it. The absence of the obvious makes one search out the connection. There is a clear connection to Deuteronomy especially in Deuteronomy 6:2, 11-12. These verses talk about enjoying long life and eating and being satisfied.
Anyway back to our conclusion: contentment--it is a gift from God our higher power. Enjoy it and life will go much better of us. I think that closing with the serenity prayer may be in order this evening. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (short version) Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and your worth it.
Verse 3 continues on. "A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how Long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he." (Eccl. 6:3) Solomon presents both a factual and an emotional sensory experience here. He begins with the thought of many children but deftly inserts the repulsive thought of a stillborn child. bloody, lifeless, a grievous evil. The repulsive connection is made between a man who cannot enjoy wealth and a stillborn child. The man who cannot enjoy his material possessions is repulsive. He does not even receive a proper burial.
Verses 4 and 5 state: "It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man--" (Eccl 6:4-5) The author expands upon the idea of the stillborn child. It never has life in it. The man who does not enjoy his possessions is like this dead child: Lifeless
Verse 6 reads: "Even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?" (Eccl 6:6) This is a figure of speech. It is a positive affirmation expecting a positive answer. The one who has everything and the one who has nothing not even life go to the same place. The material goods and wealth were of no service to the rich man.
What does this passage have to do with addiction and compulsion? It is found in the gift. The gift of enjoying one's possessions. The gift of contentment. Addictive and compulsive people attempt to find meaning in the next fix, high or sexual release. Contentment is a gift from God, our higher power. When we release the urge to not be addicted when we give up the urge to not be compulsive then we have the ability to attain what we strive for: contentment. In the serenity prayer we pray for our higher power to grant us serenity. We ask for something we realize we cannot attain on our own.
In addition workaholism is a part of the addiction interaction system. We become compulsive in our attainment of wealth to bolster our self esteem, to maintain our addiction, to medicate away the guilt of acting out. Workaholism is almost a cherished attribute in the American corporate culture. But it takes its toll on the person. All the attainments and all the wealth mean nothing if they cannot be enjoyed.
An interesting concept that I have entertained for several weeks is the reason why the decalogue or the first five books of the Holy Bible are not referred to except in the end of the book and in one summation. I think at this point anyway the entire book is to be seen as a riddle not just portions of it. The absence of the obvious makes one search out the connection. There is a clear connection to Deuteronomy especially in Deuteronomy 6:2, 11-12. These verses talk about enjoying long life and eating and being satisfied.
Anyway back to our conclusion: contentment--it is a gift from God our higher power. Enjoy it and life will go much better of us. I think that closing with the serenity prayer may be in order this evening. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (short version) Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and your worth it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Solomon Project: Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
This is a blog which looks at the Book of Ecclesiastes from the standpoint of people who suffer from addiction and compulsion. This blog is designed to be applicable to all walks of life.
This week we bring this section to a close. We have been focusing on the negative or vaporous aspects of life. Solomon once again sets forth what the contrast can be for those who live "under the sun" God is able to grant enjoyment. Verse 5:18 says: "Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot." (Eccl. 5:18 NIV) Solomon says that it is good to find satisfaction in what we do and in the food we eat. In the time when this was written the tie from what you produced and what you ate and drank was much closer than it is today. Eating and drinking was much more closely connected than it is today. There were no huge supermarkets as there are today. This is man's lot in life. Something that is given.
Verse 19 continues: "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God." (Eccl 5:19 NIV) This is a continuance of the thought before. Man's lot is to find satisfaction in his labor which he uses to keep himself alive. But when God gives any man other things, which at that time, would have signaled God's blessing, he also gives with those the gift of enjoyment. Just as the material possessions are physical, God gives man an emotional or psychological gift of enjoyment This enables him to accept his lot (from verse 18) This truly is a gift.
Verse 20 culminates the thought: "He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart (Eccl. 5:20 NIV) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet captured the essence of these statements when he said, "Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear. This verse basically says enjoy life so much that you don't focus on the miserableness of things wealth, possessions and the control of life's circumstances. You don't control them, they could be gone in a moment. Seize the one gift God has given to men--The ability to enjoy labor and the things God has given men.
My daughter's boyfriend has been here this weekend. What a joyous time we all have together. We ate different kinds of food and enjoyed (well sort of) trying some new ones. He and I sat out on our deck watching fireflies last night. I think that is truly enjoying God's gift to us.
Addictive and compulsive people many times aren't able to experience God's gift to mankind-- gladness of heart and enjoyment of labor. The addict many times has a sense of entitlement. Whatever he has he should have had in the first place so why should he see it as a gift. The perspective is skewed. Everything we have is a gift. We come from the womb with nothing and we leave with nothing. (5:15). Resources are a gift from God but the addict or compulsive person applies them to the carrying out of addictive and compulsive behaviors. I like the illustration of holding with an open hand those things that God has given you. The problem is that many times we have grasped onto them too tightly as if we have grasped an electrical line. The electrical current paralyses the hand making it incapable momentarily to release. The focus in both of these instances is on the things and the paralyzation, not the gift
Today I urge those who read this to change your perspective: Life's labor and the food we eat and the ability to enjoy it are a gift from God. Accept the gift. Live life today in this present moment as Longfellow says "wisely improve the present."
I was brought up short by a statement by one of my brothers on this journey the other day, which had to do with laughter. There certainly can be laughter in life. Many times we laugh at the circumstances we have come out of only so that we don't have to cry. Recovery does have to it a "deadly earnestness," all laughter aside. I recommit and redouble my efforts to that course of life today.
Our time is up for today, keep coming back it works if you work it and you are worth it.
This week we bring this section to a close. We have been focusing on the negative or vaporous aspects of life. Solomon once again sets forth what the contrast can be for those who live "under the sun" God is able to grant enjoyment. Verse 5:18 says: "Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot." (Eccl. 5:18 NIV) Solomon says that it is good to find satisfaction in what we do and in the food we eat. In the time when this was written the tie from what you produced and what you ate and drank was much closer than it is today. Eating and drinking was much more closely connected than it is today. There were no huge supermarkets as there are today. This is man's lot in life. Something that is given.
Verse 19 continues: "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God." (Eccl 5:19 NIV) This is a continuance of the thought before. Man's lot is to find satisfaction in his labor which he uses to keep himself alive. But when God gives any man other things, which at that time, would have signaled God's blessing, he also gives with those the gift of enjoyment. Just as the material possessions are physical, God gives man an emotional or psychological gift of enjoyment This enables him to accept his lot (from verse 18) This truly is a gift.
Verse 20 culminates the thought: "He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart (Eccl. 5:20 NIV) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet captured the essence of these statements when he said, "Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear. This verse basically says enjoy life so much that you don't focus on the miserableness of things wealth, possessions and the control of life's circumstances. You don't control them, they could be gone in a moment. Seize the one gift God has given to men--The ability to enjoy labor and the things God has given men.
My daughter's boyfriend has been here this weekend. What a joyous time we all have together. We ate different kinds of food and enjoyed (well sort of) trying some new ones. He and I sat out on our deck watching fireflies last night. I think that is truly enjoying God's gift to us.
Addictive and compulsive people many times aren't able to experience God's gift to mankind-- gladness of heart and enjoyment of labor. The addict many times has a sense of entitlement. Whatever he has he should have had in the first place so why should he see it as a gift. The perspective is skewed. Everything we have is a gift. We come from the womb with nothing and we leave with nothing. (5:15). Resources are a gift from God but the addict or compulsive person applies them to the carrying out of addictive and compulsive behaviors. I like the illustration of holding with an open hand those things that God has given you. The problem is that many times we have grasped onto them too tightly as if we have grasped an electrical line. The electrical current paralyses the hand making it incapable momentarily to release. The focus in both of these instances is on the things and the paralyzation, not the gift
Today I urge those who read this to change your perspective: Life's labor and the food we eat and the ability to enjoy it are a gift from God. Accept the gift. Live life today in this present moment as Longfellow says "wisely improve the present."
I was brought up short by a statement by one of my brothers on this journey the other day, which had to do with laughter. There certainly can be laughter in life. Many times we laugh at the circumstances we have come out of only so that we don't have to cry. Recovery does have to it a "deadly earnestness," all laughter aside. I recommit and redouble my efforts to that course of life today.
Our time is up for today, keep coming back it works if you work it and you are worth it.
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