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We all want to find our way—our place, our purpose—and try to figure out the meaning of life.
Even if we aren’t aware that we are searching.
Looking back, I can see I was searching for my way for years without knowing it. I thought I was just living. One by one, I tried different lifestyles to see which might address my inner feelings of seeking something more and help me find meaning.
I was optimistic enough to know there must be something that would satisfy me—it didn’t make sense that life was meaningless—so I simply had to find out what it was. I assume most people have similar feelings. Do you?
Do you have an inner anticipation, even assurance, that life has meaning? And that there is something special out there that you—and only you—are supposed to do while you are here?
Parallel Journeys
In my late teens, I had moved beyond many of my adolescent insecurities into a new identity. I decided that having fun, partying, and being adventurous was the way I wanted to live.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10)
I enjoyed myself, for short periods, but a lifestyle focused on enjoyment alone didn’t turn out to be fulfilling. In my twenties, I grew up and turned my focus toward work with the intention of building a career path that I, and others, would be proud of.
“I undertook great projects.” (Ecclesiastes 2:4)
As I moved on, I identified another way to find what I thought would be purpose and significance: money. Pursuing a successful Sales career became a socially acceptable way to search for satisfaction by making as much money as I could.
“I amassed silver and gold for myself.” (Ecclesiastes 2:8)
None of those pursuits proved to be the answer, so I sought other ways to soothe my unrest or at least stop thinking about it. Drinking to inject artificial euphoria into my life or numb my feelings would work for a little while—until it didn’t.
“I tried cheering myself with wine.” (Ecclesiastes 2:3)
In my late thirties, I became aware that I was searching for something bigger. I decided I should start thinking more deeply about life’s key questions, including spiritual ones. I was sure I could figure everything out if I just worked at it hard enough.
“I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things.” (Ecclesiastes 7:25)
But knowledge alone was not enough either. There was something bigger, but it would take more than information to experience it. Looking back on my life journey, I saw that none of my pursuits had led me to a place that felt totally right.
“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
The Meaning of Life
The author of those verses from Ecclesiastes, most likely Solomon, captured the frustration of having spent a lifetime looking for the meaning of life but not finding it. We can relate to Solomon’s journey because, for many of us, his story is our own.
Is that the end? That life has no meaning, and its pursuit is merely “chasing after the wind?”
In my searching, I had proven to myself that ultimately meaning did not come from the pursuit of pleasure, achievement, money, reality-avoiding addictions, or intellectual pursuits. Where do I go from here?
But Solomon’s journey for meaning, nor my own, didn’t end at that point. God came calling.
“And, when all is said and done, here is the last word: worship in reverence the one True God, and keep His commands, for this is what God expects of every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 – The Voice)
I saw that we can all find our identity, our contribution, and our purpose. And that life does have meaning.
If you are searching for meaning, purpose, and truth, you are on the path to a life of significance. Many people—like me—have traveled that road as well, and that journey can become a wonderful adventure if you become intentional about it.
Developing a life plan or charting a personal path for spiritual growth or seeking our calling are helpful steps to take.
Sooner or later, we will all come to a similar conclusion that finding the right direction is needed, but it is the journey that’s most important. Wherever you are on yours, continue your search for the meaning of life and take it a step at a time.
Just know that there is only one place you can ultimately find it.
