100 Years is Meaningless!
A fun thought experiment is offered in the reading this week by Gratton and Scott in their book, The 100-Year Life. What will my life look like if I live to the ripe old age of 100? Will I have enough money? Will I still have family around? Will I simply be bedridden and waiting to die. What seismic shifts in our culture might I have lived through?
Gratton and Scott tap into their psychologist and economist backgrounds and using a science backed approach offer three simplistic outcomes for different generations. Granted, their outcomes admittedly don’t have many negative life circumstances. They advance ideas about how we might live longer and how to plan for it now. An argument is made that the traditional three stages of life (education, work, retirement) are no longer really useful.
As I read this book, I couldn’t help but compare it against the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and how the Teacher repeatedly states it is all meaningless, a chasing after the wind.[1] There are three general themes offered by the Teacher throughout the book of Ecclesiastes and it is good to wrestle with this ancient sage and these new modern authors. The three themes found in Ecclesiastes are:
- The march of time.
- We are all going to die.
- Life’s random nature.[2]
Working as Time Marches On
The 100-Year Life argues for a positive future, where we will have enough money, relational resources and physical stamina to enjoy the benefits of longevity. Yet, they also recognize that the current pathway our society is on can be negative. “This is the curse: constant work, boredom, diffusion of energy, missed opportunities, culminating in an old age of poverty and regret.”[3] Ecclesiastes warns about this kind of life as well, “But as I looked at everything, I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.”[4]
We cannot add or subtract days to our lives. What we can do is use our time well. If we as a society will add years to our lives, how will we use this time for God’s glory and for the common good? Surely, it should not be used simply by adding more leisure hours in front of the TV.
We are all Going to Die
The Teacher writes in chapter 3, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.”[5] Though the verses might seem morbid at first glance, there is much beauty in meditating on them. There is a time for everything, and we can look at the season we are currently in to prepare for the next season. I buy new gloves every Fall as I prepare for the next Minnesota Winter. Likewise, I understand that the season of life I am in right now will change. What can I do to prepare for the next season? This doctoral program is part of that preparation for whatever God has in store for me.
Gratton and Scott discuss the idea of Crucible Experiences. These experiences allow people “to glimpse the totality of human existence: the life that got these people to this place, the pressures they are under, and the opportunities they face.”[6] Reflecting on who we are, what season we are in, and where we want the next season to take us gives us an opportunity to move into the next phase of life well.
The Randomness of Life
After detailing the futile nature of working, saving and preparing for the future, the wise Teacher tells his students, to enjoy life when they can. Drink wine! Wear nice clothes! Love your wife and be happy![7] Surely, the life span during the time of this Teacher was nowhere near 100 years old. Was the Teacher even in his fifth decade of life? The Teacher reminds us that we can plan (and we should) but even then, we cannot control what is beyond us so we should learn to enjoy this wonderful life the Lord has given us.
This week’s reading poses a problem for the reader and all potential modern-day centurions. We will face a problem of what to do with all the extra time and “how to use his freedom from pressing cares, how to occupy the leisure which science and compound interest will have won for him, to live wisely and agreeably and well.”[8] The authors admittedly give three positive examples (Jack, Jimmy and Jane) but they do not account for the random nature of life. Recently, the health and workout guru, Richard Simmons passed away and he was only in his 70’s! If anyone was healthy enough to live into Centurion-hood would it not be a health guru?
So, where do we go from here? We should realize that our lives might be longer than we expect, and we should make plans for it. However, as we make plans for our long future, we should not neglect to enjoy the season of life we are currently in. God has put us in this very space and in this very time. Though it may be confusing and challenging it is not a surprise to the One who controls all things.
[1] “Blue Letter Bible” NLT Ecc. 1:14 (Web: Blue Letter Bible, 2017).
[2] “What Is Ecclesiastes About? | Learn Its Meaning and Wisdom,” Bible Project, accessed October 7, 2024, https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/wisdom-ecclesiastes/.
[3] Lynda Gratton and Andrew J. Scott, The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity, 1st edition (Bloomsbury Information, 2016), 4.
[4] Ecc. 2:11
[5] Ecc. 3:1f
[6] Gratton and Scott, 179.
[7] Ecc 9:7ff
[8] Gratton and Scott, 230.
About the Author
Adam Cheney
I grew up in California, spent five years living along the beautiful coast of Kenya and now find myself working with refugees in the snow crusted tundra of Minnesota. My wife and I have seven children, four of whom have been adopted. I spend my time drinking lots of coffee, working in my garden, and baking sourdough bread.10 responses to “100 Years is Meaningless!”
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Great work Adam! I appreciate your insights! In what ways are you, “enjoying this season of this” in your family and work?
Right now, we are really struggling with our son and so we are not really enjoying this so much. However, we do find ways to try and enjoy the day whenever we can. For instance, yesterday, I had to go to another city to take a refugee to her appointment. I then had to wait for 3 hours. So, I took my fishing pole and a book with me. I didn’t crack open the book as the weather was too nice, but I did get a hook in the water for a few hours.
Hi Adam, Much of what you wrote about resonates with what I was writing, although without the poignant references to Ecclesiastes. Thank you for that. So I would ask you, how do you cherish the present, each day God gives you? When you look back over your life, can you see God’s hand in your past?
Diane,
I certainly see God’s hand directing my life all along the way. A few years ago I learned to “stop and smell the roses.” I took this literally and I do stop and gaze at the beauty found all around me on a daily basis.
Adam, “memento mori!” Yes, we are all going to die, as you and the Teacher of Ecclesiastes remind us. Plan for the future but don’t forget to be fully aware of the present, enjoying it for what it is… a gift of God.
What are some of the things you think and pray about as you plan for God to lead you in the future (outside of this program of study)?
Debbie,
I am aware that this program might lead me in a new direction and I wonder how this degree might shape things for me. I honestly don’t know but I just keep going through doors that open along the way.
Adam, I appreciate your reflections on the book. Since you highlighted the “Crucible Experiences,” I am curious how you will help people consider this concept in your ministry context?
Chad,
This is a great question. When I think about my experience of living in Kenya it shaped my life in considerable ways. I think it is very important to get into someone else’s shoes.
Hi Adam, thanks for tying Ecclesiastes into your blog post. I must be transparent. Sometimes, I would like to spend more leisure hours watching TV. When you mentioned seasons, I remembered Camacho’s “Mining for Gold” and his emphasis on identifying our seasons. I know you are currently in a challenging season. How do you think past seasons have prepared you for what you are walking through now?
Elysse,
Great question. I have walked through the winter season before. I know it is hard but I have experienced it beforehand and I know the beauty that comes from it.