Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Never is Solomon more retrospectively wise than in his discovery that he could have been protected from a lot of pain and failure if he had only cultivated authentic, trusted friendships. He also realizes that a community of trust would have caused families and life around him to have flourished. We have no idea what beauty we miss for our community and families when we try to hide from meaningful friendships. They are a lot of work, and a source of their own pain. But nothing protects, frees and gives meaning more than Christ in us being lived out together.

We have all been to the place this place that Solomon finds himself in--a feeling of purposelessness in our experience. His question, and ours, remains: where do we find substance, fulfillment, and enjoyment? It is in the midst of this sense that God often meets us, and in His design reveals the most full way to live.

In Proverbs Solomon said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." But what, if anything, does that have to do with having a happy and successful life? Is there really a link between fearing God and enjoying life?