Meaningless

WHEN THE MEANING FINDS YOU

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13

I recently attended a dinner party—one of those rare evenings where laughter, diverse perspectives, good food, and deep conversation all converged into something sacred. The room was full of people from every walk of life: many beliefs, cultures, and languages. By the time I left, I was full—not just from the feast, but from the richness of soul that comes from human connection.

Near the end of the evening, a man shared a photo taken by a satellite far from Earth. It captured our planet—a tiny, beautiful blue speck suspended in vast darkness. We all stood in awe, hushed by its quiet message.

Then he read an article accompanying the image. It concluded that all of human life—our wars, work, faiths, and dreams—amounted to nothing. “Meaningless,” it claimed. “Insignificant.”

He asked another guest for his thoughts, and I listened closely. The man began his reply with that same word—meaningless. It echoed Solomon’s ancient cry in Ecclesiastes. But unlike Solomon, he offered no conclusion, no hope—only doubt. He was “pretty sure” there is no God.

I said little. It was late. I went home with a full heart and a heavy question: Could it be that this is all meaningless?

The next morning, I prayed. I looked up “meaningless” in a thesaurus—a simple act, but one that opened a floodgate of questions. I asked God, Show me what you want me to learn from this. And then I waited. I let go of my need for answers and simply trusted that He would speak.

He did. Not through thunder or scripture, or a still and small voice, but through coffee.

I was restocking my favorite Starbucks blend when a barista—who didn't even like coffee—offered me her free employee pound. She smiled as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I had never met her. And yet, there it was: a thoughtful act of kindness, full of unexpected grace. In that moment, the cosmos narrowed to a single heartbeat, a single gift.

Later that week, I stood at my aunt’s grave, surrounded by family. Not far away rested my parents. The question returned: Were their lives meaningless? I smiled through the tears. No, not even close. They were great-grandparents now. Their legacy breathes through the laughter of my cousins, the hands we held, the prayers we shared. Their love still multiplies.

After the service, we gathered at a steakhouse, where the table was filled with stories, food, and joy. A moment that looked ordinary was actually holy. Another answer from the heart of God.

No, life is not meaningless. Even when it appears that way. The God who shaped galaxies also shapes coffee counters, graveyards, and restaurants into places of revelation.

Solomon, in all his wisdom, wrestled with life’s vanities. But in the end, he concluded: only with God do our lives or anything else have true meaning. Without Him, we are running in circles, chasing the wind. But with Him? Every small moment carries eternal weight.

Lord, in a world that often feels adrift, remind me that You are the anchor of meaning. Help me see Your hand in everyday kindness, in family laughter, in simple gifts. Open my eyes to wonder, even when life feels small. Thank You for being the One who gives purpose to all things. I praise You today for the moments I so often overlook. You make all things matter. Amen.

Copyright August 2024, June 2025, Gary Landerfelt, MyPericope.com