A Wanderer Such As I

     ""Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."" Ecclesiastes 1:2


     With words like these it is no wonder that the writer of Ecclesiastes sought to understand the true value of a life lived on Earth. It is a challenge people of modern times face daily as we find ourselves overwhelmed and confused in trying to find purpose and direction for our lives. We go through numerous cycles of introspection and self-searching in order to understands ourselves better. We try to piece together the reasons why we exist and how our piece fits in with the whole puzzle. And soon enough we find ourselves right in the category of "wanderer" like everyone else. It begins to seem impossible to find clarity and understanding. But just when we think there isn't any hope, examples of those who have taken this path once before are there to not only encourage us but let us know that there is a place of peace in all our wanderings. 


     A perfect example of such a wanderer would be Doug Bachelor. Raised an atheist in an extremely wealthy and well known family in California, Doug had it all. However, growing up he didn't know what it was like to truly be loved by his preoccupied and career oriented parents. He constantly changed schools and engaged in criminal activity at an early age. When Doug began living on his own he started to become dissatisfied with his lifestyle and soon realized that there had to be something better in life, something that would give him value. When he began his search he started to look into various world religions in hopes of finding something that he could agree with. He encountered some very strange ideas and practices but in all his searching, he was sincere in trying to find God. When he had reached his limits and began living in a cave, running around naked, and eating from dumpsters, he stumbled upon a bible where he read it and gave his heart to God. It reminds me of how Qoheleth describes the vast amount of riches, power, and fame he had and how none of it made him genuinely happy. Both men were filled with such emptiness from the things this world has to offer but upon realizing that there is no greater calling for men on earth but to "fear God and keep His commandments," an instant awakening takes place. 


     Another example of someone who shares this type or journey would be Malcolm X. Malcolm, being raised in the heat of racism, came from a family where black pride was strongly encouraged as well as self reliance. In spite of this his parents treated him differently from his siblings because of his lighter complexion. He endured a rough childhood having lost his father and having his mother placed in a mental institution. His aspirations of becoming a lawyer were discouraged by a teacher who told him that that wasn't a realistic goal for a "nigger." He moved around numerous times to various foster homes without finding a place where he felt truly accepted. This resulted in his involvement in hustling and other criminal activity which caused him to be sentenced in prison for eight to ten years. Throughout this time Malcolm began to undergo the questions of his purpose on earth, how he could change the world, and more importantly how could he change himself. Unlike Pastor Bachelor and his turn to Christianity, Malcolm turns toward Islam in hopes of finding answers. The Islamic nation welcomed him and provided him the answers he needed in order to turn his life around becoming one of the most influential African Americans in history. Though I may not necessarily agree with everything Malcolm X stands for I can understand his passion and the hardships he's faced and how throughout his life he has experienced a great deal of trials but has not never let those things define him or what he could be. 


      "So what does this all mean?", as the questions the author of Ecclesiastes presents still looms in my head. In my humble college student opinion I would agree with Qoheleth knowing that all the worlds pleasures are but vanity. However this I do know, that once we have found the one who created us, all our wandering will cease because it is then we would know the direction and purpose for our lives regardless of where we've been. He knows where we are headed and in Him we find meaning.