Ecclesiastes is Meaningless

MeaninglessAh, Ecclesiastes. There you are. Like many Old Testament books, I tend to forget you exist (Nahum? Who you be?). But here I am, flipping through your pessimism-drenched pages once again. Like Philippians, I always devour you during times like these. But unlike turning to Philippians for affirmation of the good, I basically turn to you for affirmation of the bad.

A month and a half later, I’m still recovering from an awesome, life-changing summer with YouthWorks, trying to figure out how to uncover or inject meaning amid a suddenly seemingly meaningless life.

Ecclesiastes appeals to me because of its unique tone. Page after page, the wisest man who ever lived keeps repeating that everything done under the sun is meaningless. That it’d be better to have been stillborn than to experience the tragedies of this fallen life. So harsh.

I only turn to this book during heightened times of despair and desire. I mean, yes, I certainly relate with Solomon’s woe-is-me diatribes. But what exactly am I looking for while reading this book? Affirmation that life sucks sometimes? Most times? All the time?

Ecclesiastes is meaningless if this is solely why I read it.

Of course life is hard. Am I really surprised when this reality slams into me with more force than Mr. Kool-Aid Guy into a brick wall?

Why do I need King Solomon to tell me I’m not alone in life’s endless struggle? That even he felt the slings and arrows of misfortune amid a life of unending luxury?

Instead of scouring through Ecclesiastes, why can’t I just acknowledge the road-wanderer with a cardboard sign or the frowney Walmart cashier or the thousands dying from hunger to realize I’m not alone in my “misery” (and also blessed in so many mighty ways)?

Further, why is it difficult to remember God’s faithful carrying through prior troublesome times? Why does this time feel too beyond His reach, far above His capabilities?

A dear person told me several weeks ago that we shouldn’t necessarily pray for all our problems to go away, but that above all we should pray for perseverance, for the ability to endure faithfully through temptations of faithlessness.

That’s hard, especially now. I want to go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow with enough work to sustain me, enough direction to lead me, enough friends to love me.

I really don’t want to pray for the endurance to walk this valley; I want the freaking valley to transform into this already:

Beautiful LakeI certainly don’t need King Solomon to wax poetic about life-suckage to reaffirm our shared hardships. Meaningless. Despair can be found everywhere if I only look for such things, but so exist the glories of life in between the mountain and the valley.

The laugh of an innocent child. Moments to impact another soul forever.

The pumpkin spice lattes of autumn. Reminders of simple seasonal joys.

The encouraging word of true friends who stick closer than a brother. Mainstays for eternity.

I’d appreciate your continued prayers along my aimless journey. Prayers for things to get “better,” sure, but ultimately prayers for perseverance. To remain faithful in the face of faithlessness. To maintain a life of meaning amid the meaningless.

27 Comments
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3tactical 12 January 2022
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[…] Isn’t life more than jobs and paychecks and even feeling “fulfilled”? I think Ecclesiastes has a great word for such vainglory […]

Efchristi2 3 December 2011
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Life is an adventure, live it to the limits always looking forward to learning what each day has to teach you.

[…] Ecclesiastes is Meaningless – Thomas Mark Zuniga on the most depressing book of the Bible […]

carolee77 4 October 2011
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When we are young we want directions, clarity,in our life journey but in realityet if we LIVE FULLY IN EACH DAY…finding ways to express the love JesuS gives us freely to others and feel gratitude for the many blessings in our lives ,like family and friends ,well eaxh day is an adventure with possibilities.God is in control and there is meaning to everything we do as we learn to grow in each step. Hang in there and know you ARE on your right path as you have chosen to keep Jesus at your side!!

David Helms 2 October 2011
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I definitely get that “existential malaise” of wondering what my purpose is and feeling like life is passing me by. Life happens, “get busy living or get bust dying” right? If only it was that simple. I like that David said “Why are you downcast o my soul?” I talk to my soul try to get out of the funk.

Rob Shepherd 29 September 2011
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I just read through this book in my quiet time. The last chapter is where it comes together for me. Thanks for this post!

MLYaksh 29 September 2011
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I love Ecclesiastes. At any time. However I use it a little differently than you.

I read it to remind myself what really matters. I’ll read all 12 chapters (yes in one sitting) just to reach the last two verses:

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment. Everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

Yes, everything done under the sun falls away- but God’s gonna bring it to light anyway.

I’ll be praying for you. I know your pain, having been there myself. God is faithful. Always.