Roll, Tide, Roll: Reflections from Ecclesiastes

(6th of a Seven-Part Study of Ecclesiastes)

How much do you know about your family history beyond four generations? For most of us, the answer is “not much.” It’s a little shocking to realize that the very people responsible for our existence are often forgotten just a few generations later. But before guilt sets in, let’s explore what this insight teaches us about life’s deeper truths.

Do My Life Accomplishments Matter?

The reality is life under the sun is fleeting. That’s a hard truth King Solomon wrestled with in Ecclesiastes. Solomon reflects on the futility of human accomplishments. He notes that no matter how wise or foolish we are, all of us are ultimately forgotten. This sobering realization can feel discouraging, but Solomon isn’t just being pessimistic he’s being brutally honest.

Consider this: even the great builders of the pyramids, who were worshiped as gods, are now forgotten except as names in history books. And what about us? Whether we win awards, build empires, or leave behind what feels like an impressive legacy, the tide of time will erase it all.

Solomon takes it a step further: not only is everything we accomplish forgettable, but death is unavoidable. It doesn’t matter how smart, wealthy, or successful we are—death levels the playing field. As one bumper sticker wisely puts it: “He who dies with the most toys…still dies.”

This hard truth led Solomon to a bitter conclusion: without God, life feels loathsome. He described it as “futility and striving after wind,” a poetic way of saying that chasing earthly fulfillment is like trying to grab the air it’s ultimately pointless.

What Was I Made For?

But there’s a brighter side to Solomon’s reflection. While he points out the emptiness of life under the sun, he hints at a greater reality above the sun. His grand conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12 urges us to “remember your Creator.” Our dissatisfaction with earthly pursuits isn’t a dead end; it’s a clue that we were made for something more.

So what does this mean for us today? First, honor your past—learn the names of your ancestors. But more importantly, recognize that true meaning comes from a relationship with God. Jesus offers the hope Solomon longed for: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25).

The tide is inevitable, but through Jesus, we can rise above it. Life under the sun may fade, but life in the Son is eternal. Roll, Tide, Roll!