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.
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