Cafes for you

The Purpose of Life: Finding Meaning in Ecclesiastes

We all long for happiness. But that longing cannot be satisfied by a simple change of mood or circumstances. Deep within the human heart lies a desire for a more fundamental, greater, and more lasting satisfaction. For example, that feeling of emptiness in a corner of your heart even after achieving everything.

In his book Desiring God, John Piper says:

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”

This short sentence powerfully shows that human joy and God's glory are not separate concepts. In other words, when we find true satisfaction in God, it is at that very moment that God is most greatly glorified.

This insight is not confined to the thoughts of a single theologian. The French philosopher Blaise Pascal, in his deep contemplation of human existence, said:

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

The 'God-shaped vacuum' he speaks of is not a mere emotional void but a structural deficiency as a created being that requires a relationship with God. Pascal saw through the fact that human longing can never be filled by the pleasures, successes, or relationships of this world.

This same insight is expanded in the writings of C.S. Lewis. In Mere Christianity, he says:

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

Lewis argues that the reason human desires are not satisfied by the experiences of this world is that the desires themselves are designed for transcendence. In other words, humans were created to be unsatisfied by earthly things, and that longing is like an internal compass pointing toward a higher reality.

Their words deeply resonate with the profound confession of the author of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 1:8). No matter how much we see, hear, or enjoy, human longing is not satisfied. Ecclesiastes does not shy away from the depths of this futility but confronts it honestly, and in that very futility, it reveals how essential the longing for God is.

Humans were made in God and can only find rest in Him. Therefore, true joy and satisfaction are not achieved through the world but are restored in God. And that satisfaction is not just a personal feeling but the purpose of our existence, connected to the glory of God.

Ecclesiastes says that nothing can fully satisfy the deep longings of humanity and implies that this very longing becomes a tool that ultimately leads us to God. This longing is not a simple deficiency but a sense of direction that leads us to God. It shows that human existence is fundamentally designed to move toward God.

The message of Ecclesiastes can be summarized in two points. First, finding satisfaction and joy in the gifts God has given. Second, fearing God and acknowledging His sovereignty. These two concepts are deeply connected. Now, let's look at these two in more detail.

Satisfaction and Joy are Gifts from God

Even if we enjoy everything we desire, like delicious food, wonderful travels, and success, that satisfaction is ultimately temporary. This frustration arises because we try to find happiness in things that do not last forever.

Ironically, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes encourages us to find joy even in a transient and repetitive life. However, this joy is not something we achieve but something we must receive as a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

This statement is surprisingly simple yet contains deep theological insight. Ecclesiastes defines joy not as a 'future reward' or a 'result of achievement' but as a gift from God that can be enjoyed here and now. True joy begins in the heart that recognizes that the moments of our daily lives are not to be taken for granted but are personally given by God.

This insight is not unique to Ecclesiastes. The entire Bible consistently presents the perspective that joy is a gift from God.

·        Deuteronomy 12:7 records that the meals and celebrations of the community gathered around God were not mere events but acts of worship where reverence and joy coexisted.

·        Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always," showing that the source of joy possible even in suffering is not external circumstances but God Himself.

·        Psalm 16:11 says, "in your presence there is fullness of joy," describing the joy in God's presence as an overflowing abundance, independent of conditions.

Today, we often treat happiness as a consumer good and mistakenly believe that achievement is true joy. However, the author of Ecclesiastes has already confessed to the fundamental limitations of humanity.

“All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8)

Interestingly, modern psychologists explain that human satisfaction has a structure that chases ever-changing desires. When one desire is fulfilled, the satisfaction is temporary, and a new desire soon takes its place. This psychology is explained by concepts like the 'hedonic treadmill' or 'baseline adaptation,' as introduced earlier. Furthermore, the phenomenon of 'goal shifting,' where a higher goal is set after achieving a target, suggests that human longing is not satisfied by simple fulfillment but requires a more fundamental meaning and direction.

This attempt to find joy in constantly having 'more' ultimately ends in failure. Ecclesiastes 2:10–11 confesses this inner emptiness: "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired... Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done... everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind..."

Instead of a life of feeling empty while constantly pursuing more, Ecclesiastes presents a better perspective: to accept and enjoy everything we have as a gift from God.

Joy is not a destination but a gift given in the present presence of God. Many people of faith have confessed this truth through their experience. George Müller, a man of faith who cared for 10,000 orphans, considered "making my heart happy in the Lord" as the first thing to do every morning. He knew that joy was a source of energy for his mission and dedication, and a gift from God. John Calvin also saw joy as "the essence of piety," explaining it as a natural fruit of trust and reverence for God.

Ecclesiastes tells us that this very moment—eating, drinking, working, and laughing—is the place of joy that God has given us.

“I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

The joy that Ecclesiastes speaks of is not a simple emotion but a fruit that flows from deep satisfaction in God. Satisfaction is the inner peace and sufficiency that God gives, a spiritual stability that can be enjoyed regardless of external circumstances.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, "Whoever loves money never has enough money; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless." Here, the expression 'never satisfied' emphasizes that external achievements cannot fill the essential emptiness of humanity. Conversely, Ecclesiastes 6:3 says that what is more precious than numerous children and a long life is that "their soul is not satisfied with good things."

The joy spoken of in Ecclesiastes is not a standalone emotion but the manifestation of satisfaction in God in reality. The joy we feel in our daily lives of eating, drinking, and working is not just pleasure but stems from the existential security that God remembers and provides for us.

This combined experience of joy and satisfaction is the 'wise life' that Ecclesiastes speaks of. Because life is transient, we can cherish the moment more. Because life is finite, we can live more consciously in the present.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

This is not a meaningless nihilism but a wise attitude of accepting life as a gift. Ecclesiastes ultimately leads us to a God-centered worldview. To enjoy the life God has given today with joy and to accept it with satisfaction. When we enjoy these two together, we stand on the path of a wise life that transcends futility.

To Fear God and Acknowledge His Sovereignty

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes clearly presents the ultimate purpose of life: to fear God and keep His commandments. This goes beyond a mere religious duty or formal attitude; it is a core principle for establishing the direction of life within a relationship with God.

But the phrase "fear God" may sound somewhat unfamiliar to us today. Does it simply mean to be afraid of God? Not at all.

Reverence, or the fear of the Lord, is a sentiment that combines holy fear and deep respect in the face of God's omnipotence and holiness. It is a sense of awe that makes us realize our own limitations, and at the same time, a heart that, out of love for God, is concerned about going against His will.

In Exodus 20:20, Moses says, "God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." This shows that reverence is not a terror that distances us from God, but a godly attitude that helps us turn away from sin and draw closer to Him.

This fear of God is important in all areas of life. Ecclesiastes 3:11 invites us to recognize our human limitations and trust in God.

“He 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.”

We sometimes ask, "Why is this happening now?" but the author of Ecclesiastes advises us not to seek an answer but to choose an attitude of trust in God.

Think of a person planting a tree. The seed sown today does not bear fruit tomorrow, but the process is by no means in vain. God's work is like this. Even if we do not see it immediately, God is bringing everything to completion in its time.

Ecclesiastes 8:17 adds, "no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it." Human wisdom cannot fathom the entirety of God's plan. But this ignorance is not a reason for anxiety but a reason to trust in God. Our lives sometimes seem like fragmented puzzle pieces. But God is the designer who knows the whole picture. We may be disappointed or frustrated within our limited view, but God is the one who can make all things beautiful. Believing this fact is the practical expression of fearing God.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 advises us to entrust all seasons of life to God's hands. "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future." We should be happy on prosperous days. But we should not forget God on difficult days either. "Consider this" here is not simply a call to reflect or endure. Difficult days are a time when we face our own limitations and weaknesses. This is the very opportunity for us to realize that we are not the masters of our own lives and to turn our gaze to the true Sovereign, God.

Job confessed on a day of suffering, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21). Reverence comes from such faith. When we can trust in God's hand not only in times of prosperity but also in days of trouble, that trust matures into a solid faith.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 summarizes the conclusion of life as follows: "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." The 'duty' mentioned here does not mean a mere religious obligation or legalistic responsibility. It is the original purpose for which humans were created, the reason for their existence, and the restoration of their true identity.

Keeping God's commandments is not just about religious acts but an attitude of living by practicing God's will in daily life. Working honestly at the workplace, serving with love at home, and practicing forgiveness and truth in relationships with friends—all these are the practical expressions of a life that fears God and follows His will.

The conclusion of Ecclesiastes does not ignore the uncertainties of our lives. Rather, it honestly acknowledges them and declares that the only way to find true peace within them is to trust in God. We cannot completely control our lives. But God is the one who makes no mistakes, the sovereign who leads all seasons for good. But fearing and trusting God turns uncertainty into peace. If we realize that God is holding us, we can be free from the anxiety of trying to be in control. His power sustains us.

A life that fears Him is ultimately the only path that transforms humanity's deepest anxieties into peace. In that place of trusting God, there is true rest.

The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is clear. The meaning of life is to glorify God and to enjoy Him. Life finds its meaning when we receive God's gifts with joy and live in reverence of His sovereignty. When these two truths come together, we can live a life full of joy and meaning. When we accept God's blessings with a grateful heart and live in obedience to His commands, our lives are brought into harmony with His eternal design. This design fulfills the deepest longings of the human heart.