Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament written by King Solomon who reached a sobering conclusion regarding the meaning of life. The catbird seat is a position of favor, prominence or power. How can one begin a path to be in the most advantageous situation in life after acceptance of the solemn determination reached by Solomon circa 970 B.C.?

Let’s first examine the author. Solomon had it all from an earthly perspective. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines at his disposal. He made "great works" of houses, vineyards, gardens, orchards and pools of water. He had servants and maidens, musicians and other delightful perks. Gold, silver and great herds of cattle were also part of his life of pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 2: 9-10 concludes "So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labor."

This is known in modern parlance as achieving the "American Dream". Was the fulfillment of earthly desires the victory that Solomon supposed it would be? Not quite. He declares in Ecclesiastes 2: 11 that "Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun." He had reached an understanding that a life of materialistic conquest does not satisfy and that "better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."

Solomon in Ecclesiastes touched on the advantages of simplicity and that "the sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer (allow) him to sleep." This fits in perfectly with those that live in the Hollywood fast lane. How many "lifestyles of the rich and famous" stories have you heard that turned into drug abuse, psychiatric disorder or the ultimate despair of suicide? The spider web of fame and fortune has claimed many victims and is continuing its destruction to this day. The casualties are not only within the entertainment industry but extend to all levels of society and possibly within your own home. There is no discrimination.

The book of Ecclesiastes gives various examples of the types of excess that fool mankind. You should take the time to read this work and determine if you have unwittingly placed yourself on the altar of hedonism. The first hurdle along the road to the catbird seat has been passed once that a focus solely on the physical desires of life has been overcome. A fleeting, worldly mindset must be cast aside for an eternal perspective on life. So where does one go from here?

Old Testament prophecies foretold of the life and mission of a Messiah that could free mankind from slavery to the flesh and a sinful world that leads ultimately to spiritual death. These were predicted hundreds of years before someone named Jesus was born in Bethlehem to accomplish the mission of salvation for all who believed in Him and followed His teachings. What evidence is there that can lead us to a rational conclusion that Jesus is, indeed, the antidote to counteract the emptiness that exists within many or most of mankind?

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