ecclesiastes

Lately I've picked up the book of Ecclesiastes as my morning reading over a bowl of cereal and a bagel. In one particular passage, the author (who may or may not be Solomon) describes trying to find fulfillment by doing all sorts of great deeds...but it didn't work:

So I turned in despair from hard work as the answer to my search for satisfaction. For though I spend my life searching for wisdom, knowledge, and skill, I must leave all of it to someone who hasn't done a day's work in his life; he inherits all my efforts, free of charge. This is not only foolish but unfair. So what does a man get for all his hard work? Days full of sorrow and grief, and restless, bitter nights. It is all utterly ridiculous.

ecclesiastes 2:20-23, NLT

how strongly that resonates with me.. but to isolate one passage of this book requires the reminder of its completion:

Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man. For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad.

ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NLT