Ecclesiastes 12:1-2

In a world that can seem meaningless at times—especially in midlife—God offers perspective that anchors us, renews us, and propels us into fulfillment, mission, and service. Drawing on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, HOPE International President Peter Greer and Willowdale Chapel Senior Pastor Greg Lafferty offer insight for fresh clarity and purpose.  This plan is based on 40/40 Vision by Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty. Learn more at www.ivpress.com/40-40-vision.

God created us to find meaning in our lives. But we live in a broken world where we’re continually frustrated in our search. So, what’s the point of living life? This is the question the Teacher in Ecclesiastes is asking. At first, the message of this wisdom book seems to lead to despair, but in fact points to the hope of life found in God alone.

Written by an elderly King Solomon, Ecclesiastes reflects on a life of meaningless pursuits. Solomon writes that the world's pursuits, from wealth to self-indulgence, are vain and unfulfilling. Ecclesiastes determines that God and his presence make life fulfilling, and true wisdom is to fear God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

The book of Ecclesiastes is not an easy part of the Bible – largely because it plumbs depths to our souls and experience that are not easy either. Strap in for an unflinching, possibly uncomfortable, but ultimately hopeful encounter with a very ancient and also very contemporary anguish about what it’s like to be human in God’s marvellous, broken world.