Does Life Make Sense — or Is Everything Really Meaningless?
Have you ever found yourself asking, What in the world is going on? Maybe things aren’t adding up the way you thought they would. You’ve done the right things, made the wise choices, trusted the process — and life still feels a little chaotic. You’re not alone. And you’re in good company with one of the wisest men who ever lived.
Wisdom and the Art of Living
Eugene Peterson, writing about the book of Proverbs, described wisdom as “the art of living skillfully.” Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. So shouldn’t life, at least in theory, be as predictable as following steps one, two, and three?
King Solomon — the principal writer of Proverbs, a man whose wealth and wisdom were unmatched in the ancient world — built a nation that reached its pinnacle spiritually, politically, culturally, and economically. If anyone knew the secret to a meaningful life, it was Solomon.
And yet, in his old age, Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes — a book that wrestles openly with whether life has any point at all.
Three Questions That Hit Close to Home
Solomon raises three concerns that still resonate deeply today.
1. The Role of Chance
“The race isn’t always won by the fastest runner” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). You can live wisely, work hard, and do your best — and still have no control over the outcome. That’s a hard truth. But it’s an honest one.
2. The Weight of Time
Time and chance happen to us all. Time marches on without stopping. It erases everything. We’re like grass and flowers that wither and fade (Psalm 103:15) — a mist that is here for a moment and quickly vanishes (James 4:14). And yet, we were made for eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11). That longing is hardwired into our hearts.
3. The Reality of Death
Death is the great equalizer. Every one of us will face it. No amount of knowledge or strategy can make us exempt. Is it any wonder, then, that life can sometimes feel so pointless?
Let the Questions Lead You Somewhere Better
Here’s the turn: don’t let these questions paralyze you. Let them propel you.
Let the brokenness and confusion in the world deepen your dependence on God. You cannot outwit chance, outrun time, or outlive death. But you can place your trust in the sovereign God who knows all things and shepherds all things for all time.
In the words of Paul: “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). When your life is oriented around Christ, seeking Him first, it will have meaning. The kind of meaning that doesn’t depend on circumstances cooperating.
A Prayer to Carry With You
Dear Father in Heaven,
Life is hard. I try to live according to the wise principles found in Proverbs, but the world doesn’t always cooperate. Life throws me curveballs, and sometimes logic and meaning seem to get thrown out the window. I desperately need you and your strength to carry on. Help me to trust in you — to stand strong, to make sense of it all. Help me to trust you come rain or sunshine, whether I’m walking on smooth paths or rocky trails. I believe that you are in control. Increase my ability to live by faith.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
