Ecclesiastes 1

It is my understanding that the word "vanity" referred to by the "preacher" is not the vanity we typically think of but "fleeting or temporary".  This makes sense as the initial writings seem to be about life in general as the natural man sees life for -

"...What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again."  (Old Testament | Ecclesiastes 1:3 - 7)

In other words, life roles on and much of what the natural man sees is to work, eat, find pleasure meaning, and enjoyment until the end, where -

"...every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God."  (Old Testament | Ecclesiastes 3:13)

Because -

"TO every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."  (Old Testament | Ecclesiastes 3:1)

This is the perspective of the natural man.  But the truth is that there is a higher purpose for this life and it has to do with agency and seeking God and His mind and will for -

"...God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."  (Old Testament | Ecclesiastes 3:17)

I was particularly touched this morning with the wisdom that life just goes on.  We are born, we will die.  It is if we choose to keep this second estate that great blessings follow.