Futility’s Dark Shadow

This month I have the privilege of sharing with the men of our church on the topic of “the shadow of futility.”

Futility, of course, is a glaring opposite of what YES! is all about. But it is possible to live purpose-filled, “successful” lives and still come up short---reaching the summit and discovering a view that wasn’t quite what we expected. 

In the Old Testament, Solomon was one who seemingly had the full package but still ranted about life’s futility.

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

 Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)

The New Testament sheds a lot more hope on the subject as we discover that following Christ here on earth and looking forward to eternity with Him is anything but futile. Challenging at times, yes. Futile, no.

Missionary CT Studd framed it well:

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Unexpectedly, I kept encountering the word “run” as I prepared my futility message. Running from and running to are essential components of our salvation and non-futile lives.

Even if days of physically strenuous running are behind you, we must continually run from the entrapments of sin and even seemingly good things that can weigh us down---and run the race that He has set before us…looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Apart from God, even our greatest accomplishments can feel futile.

Temporary things like financial success, career (even ministry) milestones or retirement dreams won’t necessarily bring eternal satisfaction.

May we whole-heartedly seek God’s direction for the path ahead!