What's the point?

We pursue so many things to find purpose in life. In the words of Solomon, “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) We chase after so many things that are unimportant in the grand scheme of life. We go after success and satisfaction, money and materials, and popularity and power. We invest so much of our time in gathering things that are only temporary.
No wonder so many people wrestle with the question that has consumed mankind for generations. It may appear in a variety of forms, but the basic question is, “What’s the point of this life?”
Solomon wrestled with this question and wrote his thoughts down to be shared for thousands of years with billions of people. At the end of his thoughts, he states the following…
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
We are created to be God’s children. In the words of the prophet Micah, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
In a world full of people seeking purpose and wholeness, the answer is simple, although not necessarily easy. God created us in His image and without Him we are incomplete. In order to find true purpose, we must seek to live as people with God-shaped lives.
Fearing God is not cowering in a corner. It is a healthy respect for the One who made us. Obeying God’s commands is not intended to be a burden. Rather, it frees us to live outside the constraints and poison of sin.
So often, people pursue substitutes for the only thing that brings wholeness. Instead of using their abilities and talents to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, they use them to do what is pleasing, love themselves, and walk proudly among men. We will find our true identity when we pursue the purposes God intends.

shine!
Jason