Everything is Meaningless

So, this week my bible studies have been focussed around Ecclesiastes, which although isn’t the most exciting, it’s really spoken to me. As a book it isn’t the most riveting, and if I’m not in the best mood then it can be very difficult to read. It’s not often we go to the bible expecting to read in the very beginning of a book that ‘EVERYTHING IS MEANINGLESS’. That itself is enough for me to sometimes just turn away and go and read somewhere else, but this week, I’ve been reading it in a new light. Solomon had walked away from his relationship with God, and with his endless wisdom, he went searching for the meaning of life. But he turned up a blank and that’s where we’re left with everything being meaningless. 

But in reality, he’s not wrong. Everything is meaningless, especially when we compare it to life with God. Solomon has walked out of his purpose and into a life of searching but not finding. We can search for our meaning in the world, in work, in materialism, in wisdom, in that next promotion or that next bonus. But we come up short, every, single, time! We strive in so many areas to grow, but without our identity, without our purpose lying in God, it doesn’t matter how great, how wise, how rich, how famous we are, nothing means anything. It’s like playing a story mode on a video game and avoiding the entire story! While you’re still able to grow your character, you ultimately make no progress to your goal!

Living life to the full doesn’t necessarily mean being the best at anything, it’s fulfilling your God given potential and no matter where that leads you that is your purpose, that’s ultimately going to bring you joy in all you do. But you know what, sometimes we do struggle, but Ecclesiastes brings comfort in that, because you’re not alone, it’s okay to struggle sometimes and be a bit frustrated at everything. So while sometimes we can be confused in the mess, focus our eyes on Jesus and even if everything is meaningless, he gives us purpose. 

 

Prayer points-

  • That we will focus our eyes on God at the moment.  
  • That even when life situations begin to get on top of us we’ll recognize we’re not alone in the mess. 
  • That we’ll place our purpose in God and focus on seeking his meaning. 

Written by Josh Bennett, Intern for Swindon Youth for Christ.