“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
—Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)
I know that I’ve been in routines that seem to be so repetitious that I questioned any purpose. It was like I was just going through the motions. Get up, clean up, eat, work, watch some TV, go to bed, repeat. I have stayed in that routine for weeks at a time. During COVID, perhaps is was months.
King Solomon is credited with writing Ecclesiastes. Solomon had is all. Perhaps that was his issue. He tried everything. He knew lots. His experiences reached across what could be done during the times of his living.
When it was all said and done, I believe that he failed. He set up worship for the gods of his many wives. The son who followed him as king was not wise in his governance. Solomon should have found meaning. He didn’t. While he ends Ecclesiastes with, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man,” Solomon’s life was not one I want to emulate.
When I reflect on my life, I realize that there are certainly times that I cry out “meaningless!” How have I responded?
I have the benefit of living life with Jesus. Jesus gives me truth to live during difficult and trying times. He sets my sights on eternity even as I live life and love others in the sometimes seemingly meaningless temporary.
But this life is not meaningless. With Jesus I have meaning. With Jesus I have a purpose that is beyond myself. I can definitely live with that. In fact, I can thrive with that truth.
Prayer: Father in heaven, You sent Jesus to be the Savior for the world. I can only find my meaning through Him. I commit my life to Him.
