I am sure we have all been in the position where we have asked, “What’s the point?” in response to one thing or another. Whether we have been elbow-deep in dishwater clearing away another set of dishes or ankle-deep in toys, the point of life threatens to allude us at times. Maybe while attending another meeting about something that could have been an email or tending to another of life's issues, we may wonder, 'What is the point of life?' We have all been there.
The tendency to question our existence is not only prelevant in the midst of the humdrum of life but also when the winds of life are hard to stand straight in, and the ground feels as though it is literally shaking below our feet. We know God to be the rock on which we stand; we know Him to be good and merciful, but the reality of our humanity still exists. Knowledge doesn't always translate to wisdom, and we don’t always understand. Thankfully, we as believers are not left alone to struggle and strife to find out the answer to this big question. God gave us a beautiful instruction book to help us navigate life’s questions.
What does the Bible say is the point of our lives?
One book that might help us evaluate life and its point is Ecclesiastes. Scholars tend to conclude that the writer of this book is King Solomon because of the recurring themes from other works he penned. Some believe it to be him, and others think it is another descendant of David who has Solomon's thinking. The writer begins in chapter one by saying:
“I have seen everything done in this world, and I tell you, it is all useless. It is like chasing the wind.” - Ecclesiastes 1:14
This verse unveils an important piece of information. This teacher is well-cultured for the time in which it was written, yet declares that all things are useless, like the chasing of the wind. The word for useless in this verse is hevel, which in Hebrew means vapor or smoke, and is used 38 times in this book. The writer is trying to convey to us that life is temporary or even fleeting. And in some ways, while it seems solid, it is like smoke and withers away. Life, to this author, is simply an enigma or a paradox.
The Book of Ecclesiastes looks at all the ways humans, by our very nature, try to build meaning and purpose for ourselves away from God. The result is the same each time: all of it is meaningless or hevel - without God. Everything we build aside from him has no lasting meaning.
The reality is, as Ecclesiastes illustrates, even as time wears on, nothing ever changes; nothing is new under the sun, and eventually, time will erase us. It also shows us that death is the great equalizer of humanity, for it engulfs the wise, the fool, and the rich and the poor. Death is a guarantee in this life, and none of us are exempt from facing its peril. Chapter 2, verse 16, goes on to state, “Like the fool, the wise too must die!”
Even wisdom and fear of the Lord, as Solomon teaches in Song of Songs, have advantages in this life. But they do not guarantee us a good life. Unfortunately, the sin-sick world we live in still taints all that we know and see.
How can we find purpose in or a point to life?
Well, friend, this book does not only tell us what things are empty or meaningless, but it also tells us about the important things in this life—the things we should hold on to with a tight grip and embrace. Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes tells us that God gifts us, stating,
“That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”
According to verse 14, the gift of God is the satisfaction found in the toil of this life. The point of this life is to enjoy and accept the hevel, or the meaninglessness of the things that happen. The truth is, friend, everything is out of our control. Just as the sun rises in the morning, we cannot make it come up quicker or slower, just as the waves come and go as God tells them, so things in this life take place. The gift of God is the simple enjoyment of the good things in life: friends and family, a BBQ, sunny days at the beach, and wintery days curled up with our kids.
The point of this life is found I believe in the Westminster Catechism, “Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Friend, the point of this life is not to find ways to do it on our own but to find God. The point of this life is not to run at it and find joy in all the wrong places but to slow down and find joy in the simple places, loving as Jesus would love and serving as Jesus would serve. Being a person of thankfulness and gratitude. 1 Corinthians says this beautifully in chapter 10, verse 31;
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Reader, whatever you do today, may you know the glory of God in it because your hand is doing all that it does for the Father. It is easy to get sidetracked and listen to the devil whisper that we have no purpose or point in this life, but believers do. We have the joy of seeing others come to know Jesus, the joy of sharing Jesus with others, and the joy of seeing our friends, family, and churches worship Him and serve Him in all they do. It is only when we slow down in a car that we can see all that is around us. The same is true in this life. It is only when we slow down that we can appreciate the small things. I don’t believe God is only the God of the big things. I believe He is equally found in the small moments as we love each other.
Today, for me, some of those things I slowed down to savor were a homemade cup of juice from a mud kitchen littered with grass and weeds with my 5-year-old. The big bear hug from my pre-teen as she got home from school. The warm mug of tea made with love by my teen, you know, the ones that heat your soul. The smells of home cooking, knowing my family will eat a delicious meal provided by Jesus. And the lovely feeling of warm hands in mine as my husband comes home from a hard day’s work. We miss so much in this life by rushing through it. We miss so many of the really good moments.
But what if the point of this life is to be savored with each other and shared with Jesus?
I hope you know the Savior and that you can share your life with Him, too. But if you don’t, please get in touch, speak to another Christian, or contact someone at Christianity.com. We would love to introduce you to the greatest person we know, Jesus.
Let's pray:
Father, Thank You for illuminating the meaning, purpose, and point of life here today. Ignite in us a desire to seek more of You in Your Word, God, through Christ Jesus. Help us to understand who You are and Your uncomparable love for us. We want to live our lives the way You designed; each of us was created uniquely and given a specific purpose. Oh, Lord, help us to see ourselves and others the way You see us and embrace gratitude for the life You have given us to live ...to the full.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Frank McKenna
