Donald Trump appears to be everywhere these days, hopping from CNN to The View and back to the boardroom on his show The Apprentice. It also looks like Trump is legitimately picking up steam for a presidential run being listed as frontrunner in many republican polls. I don’t feel like I can turn the channel without seeing Trump on TV nowadays. The more I have seen him though, the more I felt like he was reminding me of someone and just recently I realized that that someone is- King Solomon.
Trump has it all: millions of dollars, tons of things with his name on it, gorgeous wives, successful children and even his very own TV show. He has achieved the American dream and exceeded far beyond it. He should be happy according to the world’s standards but it appears that he isn’t. He followed all the correct steps to receive worldly bliss but something is not quite right. What else is a man to do? Run for the most powerful position an individual can achieve? Before Trump continues his vitriolic campaign, I hope he will heed some advice from someone who has been there before.
The first two chapters of Ecclesiastes tell the story of Solomon and his quest for happiness.
Ecclesiastes 2: 10-11 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless –like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”
Solomon concluded that his quest for everything was all meaningless but as the chapters continue, Solomon offers another way. A way of living life to the fullest and achieving a greater happiness not settled in this world but in a deeper joy, fully transcended in our life with God. Solomon speaks of the blessing of life and reminds us that the best way to celebrate this fragile gift is to delve deep in peace, love, justice and joy.
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