Chapter 7 Intervention

All these things that the preacher has tried are weighing heavy. All the fun is fading to that ugly place where dissatisfaction rises to the back of his mouth with a bitter burn. Now, all that is left is to try wisdom. This chapter reminds me of a man I know. He goes to church most Sundays. He is known throughout the community as “a good man”. He goes to hear the bands on Saturday night and straight to church Sunday morning. He is living as a person “should”. He is missing something though. There is no passion in his life. He goes through routine. He is the man Thoreau described as living a life of quiet desperation.
We want to know wisdom but we don’t realize that the word became flesh. Wisdom is found in the person of Jesus. If we take verse 19 “Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city” and replace the word “wisdom” with “Jesus”, we get “Jesus gives strength to the wise man.” The same theme seems to creep up frequently. The only key to satisfaction in this life is a personal relationship with Jesus.
Watching tv is a great way to learn about the desperation that has gripped our society. The show “Intervention” documents addicts and their families. Most of the addicts have been discontent at one time. The discontent has led them to seek an answer. The enemy has supplied an answer for them-pills, heroin, and alcohol. The answer is destroying them. Family relationships show a pattern of trying to escape. Many of them are the children of reformed, or practicing, addicts. Where is the good part? The good part is that every show I’ve seen has ended with the addict accepting intervention and treatment. We as people want to be restored to a right relationship. Unfortunately, these people aren’t finding Jesus. They are finding other solutions and many relapse to an “easier” solution. Imagine if instead of just rehab, they found Jesus. Through His strength they would be able to hold on to their wisdom longer.