“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

What do people gain from all their labors
    at which they toil under the sun?
-Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Sisyphus was condemned.

Not by God, but by a god. Zeus. He was cursed to roll a heavy boulder up a hill, only to watch it fall back down to the bottom. Lather, rinse, repeat. Forever.

There are days when that’s how I feel.

In fact, I’m having one of those today. Life can feel hard, fruitless, even “meaningless”, just as the exasperated teacher in Ecclesiastes declares. I’m already slacking on my New Year’s goals. My hopes for the world couldn’t be dimmer. Spiritually, I’m not feeling it today.

Ever have days or weeks like this? In the back of my mind I know it’s just a moment of frustration, but how to get through it, carrying all this weight?

This morning, I decided there’s more than one way to push a rock. If I have to endure life’s struggles, could I do something to make the most of it? Here’s a few “uplifting” ideas I came up with.

1. Leg Day

Just about every day is leg day for Sisyphus. I mean, that guy must be ripped. Unlike me, he’s probably dropped that beer belly and is getting physically stronger every day. In the very least, he’ll look good in a toga.

Moral: It may feel like wasted energy, but pushing a boulder can build your abs.

2. Cross Training

With a little more effort, what could Sisyphus accomplish in spite of his circumstance? Something to show for all the toil. Maybe he could get his PhD in environmental science, and we could call him Doctor Sisyphus.

Moral: Find a way to inject some utility into your futility.

3. Incremental Stretching

It took 19 years, but Andy Dufresne, the inmate in “Shawshank Redemption”, dug a secret tunnel that took him to freedom. If Sisyphus did a little dirt shuffling along the way, he might flatten that mountain into a mole hill.

Moral: Move that mountain. One pebble at a time.

4. Lifting Partner

The teacher in Ecclesiastes praises those who can simply “find satisfaction in their own toil.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24) Sometimes that’s easier said than done. I know 7 guys (who also worked with rocks) who learned to love their work. Maybe Sisyphus could find someone to “whistle” with.

Moral: Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go.

5. Forever is a long time.

Zeus might have condemned Sisyphus to do this forever, but God (the one with a capital ‘G’) has other designs on that word. God sent Christ to deliver love and hope both NOW and FOREVER. Life is tough right now, but we’ll never push alone. God’s blessing cancels out any curse.

Moral: Zeus can kiss my b— (boulder)

We’re carrying a lot, aren’t we? But life is more than a constant uphill battle. I’m not giving up. If it all comes tumbling down again tomorrow, I’ll pick myself up, dust myself off, and put my faith in someone who knows all about

rolling away stones.

Have a great week,

Mitch