Ecclesiastes 1:2–7 (NIV)

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”

3 What do people gain from all their labors
at which they toil under the sun?

4 Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.

5 The sun rises and the sun sets,
and hurries back to where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
ever returning on its course.

7 All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
there they return again.

Today’s reading from Ecclesiastes brings to our attention how repetitive human lives can feel. As we go through the routines of life, everything seems to move in cycles — the sun rising and setting each day, the wind shifting directions, the waters flowing endlessly.

If we take these verses at face value, it can sound as though there is no meaning to life at all. We live, we die, and the next generation rises only to repeat the same exhausting rhythm.

So why is this in the Bible?
If everything is meaningless, why do we even do life?

The purpose of these verses is not to discourage us. They are meant to show us something deeper — that without God, our lives are meaningless. If there is no God, then life simply ends and returns to the earth.

But God promises eternal life to those who believe in Him.

That breaks the cycle.

Instead of emptiness, we are given purpose.
Instead of drifting, we are given direction — to become holy, Christ-like, and to live our eternal lives with God.

God brings meaning to our lives.

Christ died on the cross for us so that our lives would have meaning. And now we have a mission: to help others come into this love that gives life its true purpose.

As we begin this new week, let’s keep our eyes on the things that truly matter. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the meaningful work He wants us to do.

Let’s make this a great week — starting with this wonderful Monday.

Dear Lord,

As we start this week with You as our guide, show us the meaning of our lives. Thank You for crafting us in Your image and loving us far beyond what we deserve.

Help us to seek You always and open the doors You want us to step through. In all things, we lift ourselves to You.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Ecclesiastes 1:2–7 (NIV)

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”

3 What do people gain from all their labors
at which they toil under the sun?

4 Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.

5 The sun rises and the sun sets,
and hurries back to where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
ever returning on its course.

7 All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
there they return again.

Today’s reading from Ecclesiastes brings to our attention how repetitive human lives can feel. As we go through the routines of life, everything seems to move in cycles — the sun rising and setting each day, the wind shifting directions, the waters flowing endlessly.

If we take these verses at face value, it can sound as though there is no meaning to life at all. We live, we die, and the next generation rises only to repeat the same exhausting rhythm.

So why is this in the Bible?
If everything is meaningless, why do we even do life?

The purpose of these verses is not to discourage us. They are meant to show us something deeper — that without God, our lives are meaningless. If there is no God, then life simply ends and returns to the earth.

But God promises eternal life to those who believe in Him.

That breaks the cycle.

Instead of emptiness, we are given purpose.
Instead of drifting, we are given direction — to become holy, Christ-like, and to live our eternal lives with God.

God brings meaning to our lives.

Christ died on the cross for us so that our lives would have meaning. And now we have a mission: to help others come into this love that gives life its true purpose.

As we begin this new week, let’s keep our eyes on the things that truly matter. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the meaningful work He wants us to do.

Let’s make this a great week — starting with this wonderful Monday.

Dear Lord,

As we start this week with You as our guide, show us the meaning of our lives. Thank You for crafting us in Your image and loving us far beyond what we deserve.

Help us to seek You always and open the doors You want us to step through. In all things, we lift ourselves to You.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.