The End of Futility
When life often feels like a never-ending cycle of repetition and futility, we ask the age-old question: What is the purpose of life? This profound inquiry has puzzled philosophers, artists, and ordinary individuals for centuries. As we navigate the complexities of our existence, we may sometimes feel like we’re merely striving after the wind, grasping at fleeting moments of satisfaction that slip through our fingers like water.
The Cyclical Nature of Life
The Book of Ecclesiastes, an ancient text filled with wisdom, presents a stark and sometimes bleak picture of life “under the sun.” Its author, known as the Teacher or Preacher, embarks on a journey to uncover the meaning of life through observation and reflection. His initial conclusion? “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” This Hebrew word, “Hebel,” conveys the idea of a mere breath, something transient and elusive—here today, gone tomorrow.
As we delve into the Teacher’s observations, we’re confronted with the repetitive nature of life. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows in circles, and streams continually flow to the sea without ever filling it. Generation after generation comes and goes, leaving little lasting impact. Even our own great-grandparents, just a few generations removed, often become mere names lost to time.
A Shift in Perspective
This cyclical nature of existence can lead to a sense of weariness. The Teacher notes, “All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it.” Our eyes are never satisfied with seeing, nor our ears with hearing. We constantly seek the next new thing, only to find that there is “nothing new under the sun.”
It’s a sobering realisation that we, too, will soon be forgotten. “There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.” In light of this, it’s no wonder that many talented individuals throughout history have grappled with despair and meaninglessness.
However, the book of Ecclesiastes doesn’t leave us in this state of hopelessness. As we read on, we discover that the Teacher’s perspective is limited to life “under the sun” – a view of existence that doesn’t account for the Creator who gives it all meaning. The book concludes with a powerful reminder: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Finding Meaning in Jesus Christ
This shift in perspective invites us to look beyond the sun to the One who created it. It challenges us to consider not just life under the S-U-N but life under the S-O-N – Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, we encounter another teacher who offers hope, rest, and life beyond this world.
Jesus, described in Colossians as “the image of the invisible God” and the one through whom “all things were created,” brings a new dimension to our search for meaning. He demonstrates power over the very elements that the Teacher of Ecclesiastes saw as cyclical and unchanging. With a word, Jesus calms the storm and walks on water, showing His authority over creation.
Embracing True Fulfillment
More importantly, Jesus reveals that our purpose is found in knowing Him. We were created by Him, through Him, and for Him. Our existence finds its true meaning not in pursuing pleasure, career success, or happiness for its own sake but in a relationship with our Creator.
This realisation helps us navigate the danger of idolatry – not just the worship of literal statues but the elevation of good things to ultimate things. When we make created things the purpose of our lives, we will always come up short. But when we recognise that God Himself is our purpose, we find a satisfaction that transcends the transient nature of this world.
The message of Ecclesiastes, viewed through the lens of the Gospel, becomes a powerful tool for understanding our world and reaching out to those around us. It acknowledges life’s real struggles and disappointments while pointing to a hope beyond them. It validates the feelings of futility that many experience while offering a path to true fulfilment.
Life Under the Son
As we reflect on these truths, we’re invited to press into the difficult questions raised by Ecclesiastes rather than shrinking back from them. We’re encouraged to examine our own lives and the things we pursue. Are we striving after the wind, or are we anchoring our lives in the eternal?
The good news is that our Creator cares deeply for us—so much so that He entered our world in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life we failed to live, died the death we deserved for our rebellion, and rose again to offer us hope beyond the grave. In Him, we find the ultimate end to futility and meaninglessness.
As we navigate life’s challenges and repetitive cycles, we can take comfort in knowing that there is a God above the sun who brings purpose to our existence. We can find rest in His “eternal changelessness” amidst the “changes and chances of this life.” And we can look forward to a day when all things will be made new, and the transient nature of this world will give way to the eternal reality of life with our Creator.
In the end, the message of Ecclesiastes, illuminated by the light of Christ, invites us to a life of purpose, meaning, and hope. It challenges us to live not just under the sun but under the Son – embracing the love of our Creator and finding our true purpose in Him.
Listen to Dave Miers’ sermon ‘Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 – The Beginning of The End of Futility’ in our series THE END OF FUTILITY: