Just a Thought: What is the value of our greatest human achievement? Not long ago the world was shocked at the untimely death of basketball super star Kolbe Bryant. This young man was just forty-one years old and at that, the young was a basketball icon. Bigger than life. A real true super star! I admit, I am a Los Angeles Lakers fan and have been all of my life. I loved watching Kolbe play and I am grateful for the many championships he helped the team win. I was amazed as I watched and listened to the coverage of how the crowds had gathered outside of the stadium to bring flowers and set up a memorial. I have heard basketball legends speak of Kolbe’s greatness and all his accomplishments. He will be inducted into the basketball hall of fame. His jersey numbers will be retired. He will be remembered as a family man, a dedicated player and one who gave himself to the game and others. Even Kolbe himself said, when I am done with basketball I want to remembered as a player who had great talent. But who worked hard as though he had none. Kolbe was a remarkable player and by those who knew him best, a remarkable man. He has left a definite mark on the world. But what did all of this get him in the end (besides the many accolades)? The wisest man who ever lived question this very thing many years ago. He was a king. He was richer in wisdom than in wealth and he had more wealth than anyone. This man was the envy of world leaders all around him. And many came to hear his wisdom. But here was his problem. “I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Eccl 1:13-14) Solomon was unhindered in his search of all human achievement and what its value would be in the end. And he came to the sad conclusion that all the human achievement in the world comes to nothing of eternal value in the end. In fact, he called it vanity (emptiness) and chasing the wind (no one can catch the wind). So, what is the point of great human accomplishment if it means nothing in the end? Solomon came to another conclusion. The final analysis was this. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl 12:13-14) What is the value of our greatest human achievement? Solomon says, nothing! But Solomon says the whole duty of man is to fear God and live for Him exceptionally! In other words, human achievement ultimately comes to nothing other than maybe the high praise of men. But a life dedicated to living for the Lord is really all that matters. Human achievement may be great if the praise of men is what you are seeking. But, in the end it is the judgment of God that we will all face that matters most. In all fairness, I understand from those who knew Kolbe he was a believer. So, if what he accomplished we do so for the Lord, he will be honored for those things by the Lord. And this should be our goal. In whatever we do, let us to, do it as unto the Lord and for His glory so that all of our accomplishments will have far more eternal value than earthly value.
