Chasing the Wind
Chasing the Wind
For years, I chased the wind. I was rarely satisfied with what I had or where I was. I kept looking for a “new fix”—something to buy, achieve, change, or look forward to. Each one promised happiness. None of them quieted the urge for more for very long.
I don’t think I’m alone. It’s easy to believe contentment is waiting just beyond the next promotion, purchase, relationship, or milestone. We reach it, enjoy it for a while, and then begin looking ahead again. I wonder how much of our anxiety comes from living as though we are always one step behind the life we’re supposed to have. That restless striving was part of my own experience.
The book of Ecclesiastes speaks with surprising honesty about that feeling. Its writer, called the Teacher, had the means to try nearly everything. He pursued pleasure, wine, wealth, entertainment, and impressive projects. He worked hard and enjoyed what he accomplished. Then he looked at all he had gained and called it “a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
That phrase stayed with me. You can feel the wind, and you can run after it, but you can never hold it in your hands. That was how I lived for a long time. I kept reaching for something I thought would finally make me feel settled.
What surprised me about Ecclesiastes is that the Teacher doesn’t tell us to give up on happiness. He says that eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in our work are gifts from God (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13). We are allowed to enjoy them. The trouble begins when we expect them to give us a lasting purpose they cannot provide.
I still have goals. I still enjoy good food, laughter, and the satisfaction of a job well done. I’m learning to receive those moments with gratitude instead of asking them to carry the weight of my whole life.
When I feel the urge to chase the next fix, I try to pause, thank God for what is already in front of me, and trust Him with what comes next. What might you be able to enjoy today if you stopped waiting for something more?
