The longer I'm in ministry, the more I'm convinced we all have the same fears, questions, and insecurities. And we all assume we're the only ones who could possibly be thinking those things. There's been plenty of things I've pondered and wanted resolution on but was afraid to ask out of fear people would think I'm a heretic or idiot.

In a not-too-distant season of my life that was particularly difficult (which is a nice way to say I was depressed and hated everything), I read Ecclesiastes and immediately hated it.

But I read it again. And again. Suddenly, I realized Solomon had many of the same thoughts I had-the thoughts I was convinced nobody would understand or be able to relate to. Incidentally, they're the same thoughts I've heard countless times from people I've been able to minister to over the years.

If any of this resonates so far, may I suggest you spend some time in Ecclesiastes. Perhaps this small work can serve as a guide. Each chapter wrestles with a different question addressed by Solomon. I believe you'll find many of the questions familiar. I'm equally confident you'll find Solomon's conclusions to be honest, to the point, and seasoned with wisdom.

Perhaps that's what I love so much about this book (Solomon's, not mine): the author is honest enough to "call it likes he sees it" without worrying about whether his viewpoints fit into predictable categories or reinforce popularly held convictions. I found all of this honesty sobering at first, but that quickly gave way to something I didn't expect: hope.