Finding Meaning When Life Feels Meaningless
Life is a gift from God, even if it feels like a curse at times. It can all change at the turn of your perspective.
Have you ever asked yourself, What is the point of all this? Why should I gain wisdom, be a good person, achieve goals, attain wealth, or try to bring justice to the world? I won’t really make a dent in social justice.
You wouldn’t be the first person to ask these questions. King Solomon, one of the wisest men in the Bible had this dilemma and wrote Ecclesiastes about his search to understand the meaning of life.
He was searching for meaning, but he kept finding everything to be meaningless. King Solomon tried EVERYTHING.
He tried the care-free life, enjoying wine and being lazy. He tried a successful life of wealth. He gained greater wisdom and knowledge than any other king, but he realized that none of it mattered.
The more wisdom and knowledge gained, the more grief and sorrow he realized. No matter how much people travel, hear, see, and experience, it will never be enough.
Why?
In our quests to fulfill our life’s purpose and goals, it’s easy to get wrapped up in all the anxiety, hustle, and turmoil that accompanies it. Usually, we aren’t happy at the end of the day even after we’ve reached that big goal. It never seems to be enough.
Do you ever feel pressure when you’re walking in your purpose?
Recently, I was preparing to speak at a three day conference. My motivation was to see lives changed, and to point as many hearts as I could to Jesus. I felt the pressure and tension of this in my chest making me uneasy and nervous.
Then one morning, my one year Bible app led me to read the entire book of Ecclesiastes. It was like the words leapt off the pages, but this time they were full of life and relevance! After all of Solomon’s searching, he finally concludes that “there is nothing better than to enjoy and find happiness in our work because this is a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 2:24.
Boom. Wow. Hello. So good. Yes.
Our purpose isn’t supposed to make us feel enslaved, stressed out, or heavy. Our short time on earth is a gift from God and the best thing we can do is enjoy our work.
After I read this, I closed my eyes and imagined enjoying the conference, speaking to the youth and preparing the talks with my husband. As I did this, the pressure and tension was immediately lifted. I decided to have fun that weekend and I had a blast! God showed up and magic happened!
The best way we can stay light, bright, and content is to keep our perspectives right. As God’s daughters, our purpose is to expand the Kingdom of God for His Glory. We are to trust the results to Him and then enjoy doing it.
When you enjoy what you’re a part of, it doesn’t matter if people notice or not. It doesn’t matter where you are in the process. If you enjoy it, the outcome can’t make or break you. When you learn to enjoy, you can be in joy in almost every situation.
Scripture says eternity has been placed in the human heart (Eccl 3:11). That’s why we always feel this desire for more. Because we are made for more. Our spirit within us knows we are made for eternity in the Kingdom of God. This longing can deceive us into chasing meaningless things. Even Solomon discovered this and stated in Ecclesiastes 4:4, “Most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors, but this too is meaningless- like chasing the wind.”
Most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors, but this too is meaningless-like chasing the wind. But when we enjoy where God has us, we get to relish in the gift of Kingdom living.
Nothing is certain in life. We can’t work just to build our own wealth and success. If you aren’t creating alongside people you love and aren’t enjoying what you are creating, you will miss the gift God intended to give.
Have the perspective that you get to do what you are doing today.
If you know that you aren’t living your life in alignment with your purpose, then change it. Don’t keep complaining about it. You are not a victim. Take responsibility for your current situation and do something about. We can’t expect anyone to help us if we don’t help ourselves.
When it comes to walking in your purpose, keep these four thoughts in mind as your framework from which to operate:
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Cut out the things in your life that are strangling you.
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Enjoy the process of co-creating with God.
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Enjoy expanding the Kingdom of God.
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Love God and love people.
Cheers to a bright and free life of enjoying the gifts, calling, and destiny we have been given!
Kristen Dalton
Kristen Dalton Wolfe is a former Miss USA turned Mrs. Wolfe. Since then, Kristen has used her passion for women and background in Psychology to launch SheisMore.com. Kristen and her husband, Kris Wolfe, founder of GoodGuySwag.com are based in Los Angeles and speak regularly. Kristen is also the author of Rise Up, Princess: 60 Days To Revealing Her Royal Identity and Rise Up With God: The Guided Journal.
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