Is Everything in Life Meaningless? Finding True Purpose Through God

Feeling like life is meaningless? You're not alone. Many people today are chasing success, stability, and happiness, yet still feel empty. The wisdom of Ecclesiastes speaks directly to this struggle. King Solomon, known as the wisest man to ever live, boldly declares, “Everything is meaningless.” But what does that really mean? Are you living a meaningless life—striving endlessly without fulfillment? In this post, we’ll explore the biblical meaning of life, uncover the dangers of chasing the wind, and learn how a relationship with God and an eternal perspective leads to a life full of true purpose and peace.

AI Generated Image

What Does “Everything is Meaningless” Mean in Ecclesiastes?

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." — Ecclesiastes 1:2

These are the words of King Solomon, the wise ruler of Israel, in the opening verses of Ecclesiastes. Today we’re going to focus on his words and ask the question, “Am I living a meaningless life?”

What does Solomon mean when he says “everything is meaningless.” How can we understand this?

A Modern Story: When Work Becomes Your Identity

To better understand Ecclesiastes 1:2 I am going to share a story. Imagine a woman named Lily. For years, she’s worked nonstop—through her 20s and now into her mid-30s. She’s poured herself into her career, worked long hours, saved every penny, and pushed herself constantly, all in the name of building a secure future.

But lately, her body and mind are starting to break down. She’s exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained. Her health is suffering, but she keeps going.

Even though her friends and family keep encouraging her to slow down, take a break, and rest, Lily doesn’t listen. She’s convinced that once she hits her financial goals, she’ll finally feel safe and fulfilled. But in chasing that dream, she’s lost time for herself, her relationships, and her peace of mind.

Lily’s story might sound familiar. Maybe you’re a student working full-time while trying to stay on top of your studies. Or maybe you’re single and feel like your entire life revolves around your job. You might even be married or have a family—grateful for them, but still sensing that something's missing.

Wherever you are in life, it’s not wrong to work hard or plan for the future. But like Lily, you may have started living from a place of fear—fear of instability, fear of not having enough. And that fear can lead you to pour everything into what won’t last.

In the end - her fear left her feeling burned out and empty, wondering if all her striving was even worth it.

Is that where you are? Are you storing for yourself treasures on this earth, rather than heaven? What is the driving force behind the decisions you are making? For Lily it was fear of the unknown surrounding her future and so she poured hours into work to get enough money at the expense of her health and relationships.

What Scripture Says About Meaning and Eternity

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 6:19-20,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Are you living a life that feels meaningless because you have lost your eternal perspective? Let’s look at what scripture has to say about this.

The Heart of the Matter

In Ecclesiastes 1:12-17, Solomon paints a picture of his search for meaning through wisdom and knowledge:

"I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. I said to myself, 'Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.' Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind." - Ecclesiastes 1:12-17

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, tried everything. He sought wisdom, knowledge, pleasure, work, and more—but in the end, he declared it all to be meaningless. A pursuit as elusive as chasing the wind.

However, in the midst of his reflections Solomon offers a glimpse of hope saying,

"He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." — Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV

And in the concluding verses of the book, Solomon offers a final truth:

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." — Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV

What was Solomon trying to share with us?

• We work hard at our jobs, but we eventually die.

• We acquire material possessions, but we eventually die.

• We build relationships and families, but we eventually die.

• Whether we live doing good or evil, we all eventually die.

  
  

This can either sound depressing for some or liberating for others, but King Solomon wasn’t condemning hard work, wealth, or family. In fact, in Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, he acknowledges:

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." — Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, NIV

When Life Feels Repetitive and Empty

Solomon is asking the very same questions you are.

I’ve heard many people say, "it seems all I do is eat, work, sleep, and repeat. Where is the meaning if we live a hard life to just die?"

Solomon answers these very same questions, pointing out that if these are the things we live for, it surely is meaningless. He was warning us that when these things are pursued without God at the center, they become meaningless. Everything loses its value when separated from God and without the Spirit of God flowing from it, it becomes a chasing after the wind.

But when we live a life for God, with an eternal perspective, everything finds its true purpose.

A Shift of the Heart Brings Eternal Meaning

Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes with a powerful call:

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.“ ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Perhaps, you’ve found yourself recently focused on the temporary things of life. Maybe you've been chasing after earthly treasures, believing they will give you lasting fulfillment. Solomon says “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Have you been chasing after the wind?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has set eternity in every human heart.

That longing that you have for something more begins and ends with Jesus alone. A relationship with the creator of the world.

Maybe you need to redirect your focus back to eternity with God. Not storing up treasures in this world but in heaven. It’s time to start locking your eyes back on your Heavenly Father and inviting him into every area of your life, living the day-to-day with him.

True purpose begins when you live your life for the Lord. As you walk with Him and grow in your faith, everything—your work, your relationships, and your daily routines—takes on deeper meaning. Life is no longer just about getting through the day, a fleeting pursuit, but about living with eternal significance.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

---

If you were encouraged or challenged in your walk with God feel free to share this with someone! If you are interested in more content like this please subscribe to the email list, follow me on social medias, and/or follow the podcast channel!

Remember you are so loved, valued, and cherished.