The Question That Matters Most: Finding the Meaning of Life

Meta Description: Solomon had it all—wealth, wisdom, power—yet asked the same question we all ask: What is the meaning of life? The answer might surprise you. URL Slug: meaning-of-life-ecclesiastes-12 Featured Image: An open, worn Bible resting on a wooden surface with soft natural light streaming across the pages, suggesting both ancient wisdom and present-day relevance.

A few years ago, a student named Karen made headlines in California for doing something almost no one has ever done—she scored a perfect score on the SAT. Every question right. Every subject. So when a local news crew interviewed her, they decided to have a little fun. "Karen," the reporter said with a smile, "since you know the answers to all the questions, can we ask you one more? What is the meaning of life?"

Karen laughed and said, "I have absolutely no idea."

I've thought about that moment a lot. What a tragedy—to know the answers to every question except the one that matters most.

The Question Every Generation Asks

People have been wrestling with the meaning of life since the beginning of time. Philosophers have offered their answers. Jean-Paul Sartre concluded there is no pre-given human nature or purpose because there is no God. Albert Camus said the universe is "silent and indifferent." If there is no God, they reasoned, there is no meaning.

And here's the thing—logically, they're right. If there is no God, then there is no transcendent purpose.

But there is a God. And that changes everything.

St. Augustine wrote it beautifully: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." The Westminster Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" The answer: "To glorify God and enjoy him forever." The purpose of life is knowing God. Not just knowing about God—but truly, personally, experientially knowing him.

What Solomon Discovered at the End of It All

Solomon was one of the wealthiest and wisest men who ever lived. He had the original "been there, done that" t-shirt. And after a lifetime of searching for meaning in power, pleasure, and achievement, he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes—one of the most honest books in the entire Bible.

Twenty-nine times in that book, Solomon uses the phrase "under the sun." He's describing everything we can see, measure, and experience in this world. And his conclusion? "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." Under the sun, life is full of mystery, injustice, and emptiness.

But Solomon doesn't end there. He points us above the sun—toward God. And in Ecclesiastes 12, his final chapter, he gives us what I believe is his most important message:

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." — Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

That's it. That's the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God. Keep his commands. Know God.

When Should You Answer This Question?

Solomon's final message was directed at young people. He opens Ecclesiastes 12 with this urgent plea:

"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come."

Why the urgency? Because Solomon knew two things we often forget.

First, difficult days are coming. Life doesn't get easier—it gets harder. The storms will come. The foundation will be tested. You'd better decide now what you're building your life on, before the pressure arrives.

Second, time moves faster than you think. The rest of Ecclesiastes 12 is a poetic, even humorous, description of aging—failing eyesight, trembling hands, sleepless nights, gray hair, fading energy. Solomon's point isn't to depress us. It's to wake us up. The window of a tender, responsive heart doesn't stay open forever.

Now, if you're reading this and you're thinking, "Pastor, I'm fifty years past young," hear me on this: you are as young as you will ever be, right now. I can't change yesterday, but I can make a choice today. As the old saying goes, the best time to plant an oak tree was twenty-five years ago. The second best time is today.

Who Can Help You Find It?

Solomon asks the questions. The Gospel of Jesus Christ answers them.

The Old Testament points us toward God. The New Testament shows us that God came to find us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." — Romans 5:8

You want to know God? Look at Jesus. As Jesus himself said in John 14:9, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." Jesus reveals the Father. And through the cross, Jesus reconciles us to the Father. As 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us, God "reconciled us to himself through Christ." Not through our effort. Not through our goodness. Through Jesus alone.

The meaning of life is knowing God—and the way to know God is through Jesus Christ.

A Decision Only You Can Make

If you've never placed your faith in Jesus, I want to be direct with you: today is the day. Not someday. Not when life settles down. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says it plainly: "Now is the acceptable time. Today is the day of salvation."

The human heart can grow harder over time. Every time we say no to God, the next yes becomes more difficult. But right now, if God is speaking to you, that is a gift. Don't walk past it.

My prayer is that Solomon's ancient wisdom lands fresh on your heart today: Remember your Creator. Fear God. Know Jesus. That is the meaning of life—and it's available to you right now.

If you prayed to trust Christ for the first time, or if you have questions about what that means, I'd love for you to reach out to us. Our prayer team is always available to walk with you.

Social Media Excerpt (Facebook/Instagram): A student once got a perfect score on the SAT—every question right. But when asked "What is the meaning of life?" she said, "I have absolutely no idea." This Sunday, Solomon gave us the answer he discovered after a lifetime of searching. It's simpler—and more profound—than you'd expect. Read the full post at the link below. ⬇️

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