Somewhere Else

7 All of a person’s labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied. 8 What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:7–9

Sometimes I live as though my actual life is a hallway and the real room is farther on. When things settle down, when I finish what is in front of me, or when the next opportunity comes, I can spend an ordinary Tuesday mentally leaning toward a life that does not exist yet.

The Teacher calls it “wandering desire.” The appetite in verse 7 is never satisfied, so by verse 9 desire is still moving. The destination changes, but the hunger stays. The life I imagine conveniently leaves something out: me. I picture different circumstances without bringing along the same fears and restless habits. Somewhere else gets to remain perfect because I have never had to carry myself into it.

“Better what the eyes see,” the Teacher says. The life in front of me is not perfect. It holds limits, unfinished work, and things I hope will change. We can long for what God has promised without asking tomorrow to be heaven.

My body is here, and I want my heart to come home too.

Father, keep my desires from making me absent. Give me hope for what You have promised and grace to receive the life You have given me today.