As I enter into a new year I plan to do a study of the book of Ecclesiastes. Along with the book of Job, Ecclesiastes reminds us that God is bigger, and our life in this world more unpredictable, than we might think. The book invites us to take a realistic tour of life. The sightseeing stops will likely leave those who enjoy nice, tidy answers rather perplexed, if not downright frustrated.

There is much that is being written today addressing the subject of the meaning of life (see John Cottingham, On the Meaning of Life, James Bailey, The Meaning of Life). In our secular western world there is a hunger for meaning but there is little appetite for a living faith in God. Instead there is an attempt to find it outside of God’s control and purpose. Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey and other television series, admitted his own scramble for attention and his burning with ambition. Ecclesiastes poses the questions: Does human life really have meaning? Who is in control? What does it take to find satisfaction or even be content? How can we live wisely? Are we optimists or pessimists?

Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.

• What matters in the end if nothing is gained for all the effort put into it? (Read verses 2-3)
• Nature repeats itself every day and season of the year. Nothing seems to change. (Read verses 5-7)
• All the effort and work you do passes away in the end. Nothing satisfies. (Read verse 8)
• History repeats itself. There is nothing new so learn from the past. (Read verses 9-10)
• You cannot discover solutions to age-old human problems. More education and knowledge don’t control Nature.
• All of us are mortal. We pass away and are eventually forgotten. No one is indispensable. (Read verses 4,11)

If there is no divine purpose, no idealism will endure. People deal with their despair by finding diversion in building monuments to themselves, by entertaining themselves and by seeking to retain control over their health, their wealth and their circumstances. In contrast to the secularist, Christians believe that God has a purpose and plan for their lives. God can guide and accompany us on our journey. We live for God. We seek to be filled with His Spirit. We decide to follow Jesus by walking in His steps according to His Word. Without this presence and power in our lives much can be futile and meaningless.