Have You Ever Wondered If You’re Missing the Point?

I think a lot of us spend seasons of life chasing things like success, purpose, peace, or fulfillment… and sometimes still end up wondering why it doesn’t feel like enough. I’ve noticed how easy it is to place happiness in how things are going around us, and when circumstances change, so does our sense of stability. There were times I hit a goal I was working toward, but instead of feeling content, I’d just move on to the next thing. And while not everyone wrestles with these questions all the time, they usually come up eventually. This life isn’t forever, and at some point, we all start to wonder what really matters. It’s tempting to keep busy and brush those thoughts aside, but when I’ve slowed down long enough to pay attention to them, that’s usually where the deeper growth starts.

That’s why an episode of the Dial In podcast (from January 29th) about the book of the Bible, Ecclesiastes, really stuck with me. The pastor explained that Ecclesiastes is often misunderstood as discouraging, but it’s actually one of the most honest and hopeful books when it comes to life’s deeper questions. It was written by King Solomon, a man who had more wisdom, power, and success than most of us could imagine… and still came to the conclusion that none of it truly satisfied. He’s described as the wisest and most powerful man who ever lived. He had it all…success, wealth, relationships, power, wisdom, and still looked back near the end of his life and admitted that none of it gave him lasting fulfillment. That reflection became the book of Ecclesiastes.

Even if you’ve never read the Bible before, the themes are so relatable. King Solomon talks about how easy it is to spend our lives chasing after things that don’t really satisfy. He calls it all meaningless, not because life itself has no value, but because when we try to build our identity or purpose around things like success, comfort, or status, it never really lasts. The podcast described Ecclesiastes as an invitation to stop avoiding the hard questions and start paying attention to what actually matters. After listening, I realized I’d never read the book all the way through myself and decided to start it that week. It’s not very long, and I read it over a few days using my Life Application Study Bible (I got this bible recently and this version has great footnotes that’s really helped me understand the text better).

What surprised me most is how personal and reflective the book feels, almost like a journal. Solomon isn’t preaching at anyone. He’s sharing from experience, and it’s clear that he had lived some of his life far from God. That makes his conclusion even more powerful. Ecclesiastes doesn’t ignore how hard or confusing life can be, but it reminds us we don’t have to carry the weight of figuring it all out ourselves. We can trust God who sees the bigger picture. The podcast also highlighted how Solomon encourages us to enjoy the ordinary, simple things in life… eating, working, laughing with people we love. They’re gifts from God, and we’re meant to enjoy them, but not depend on them to give us ultimate meaning. That only comes from God Himself. When we see the gifts in the right light, they become even more meaningful. One of the footnotes in my Bible said King Solomon’s goal was to show that chasing after possessions or accomplishments apart from God will eventually leave us empty. But through a relationship with Him, we find peace, clarity, and joy that doesn’t fade with circumstances.

The book ends with King Solomon’s conclusion over all that he has learned: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” The podcast helped explain that “fear” in this context isn’t about being afraid in a fight-or-flight sense…it’s about reverence and standing in awe of God’s power, holiness, and wisdom. Solomon’s message isn’t to do more or try harder, it’s to remember who God is, and to let that shape how we live. I loved that.

A meaningful life isn’t something we build by chasing the next thing. It’s something we receive when we turn to God who gave us life in the first place. The podcast explained this so well… things like work, relationships, success, and enjoyment aren’t bad. In fact, they’re good gifts, but when we expect them to carry the full weight of our purpose, they fall short. Apart from God, those things can feel empty. With Him, they become part of something fuller and deeper. That shift in perspective changes everything.

And if you’ve already committed your life to God, Ecclesiastes is still a great reminder. Even as believers, it’s easy to get caught up in striving, trying to prove ourselves, or placing our value in what we achieve. Sometimes we can know the truth in our minds but still find ourselves chasing things that won’t last. This book gently pulls us back. It reminds us that our identity isn’t in what we do or how much we accomplish. It’s in who God is and what He’s already given us. Ecclesiastes encouraged me to loosen my grip, to trust God more deeply, and to enjoy the simple things He’s placed in front of me. Not because they’re my source of meaning, but because they’re a reflection of His goodness. We don’t have to figure it all out or carry the weight of getting everything right. We just need to keep turning back to Him.

Looking back, I wish I had started reading the Bible for myself sooner. For a long time, most of what I learned came from church each week or from a quick daily verse on the Jesus Calling app. But something shifted when I began reading it consistently on my own. It’s changed my mindset in such a meaningful way. If you haven’t spent time in the Bible yet or aren’t sure where to begin, this podcast episode that helped me (Dial In from Dec 31st) “Why Study the Bible? 8 Powerful Promises from Psalm 19.” It reminded me that God’s Word is what grounds us. It’s how we stop drifting, stay clear on what matters, and live with confidence that we’re not missing the point.

Thank you for being here,

Brittany

This week on our podcast The Long Game: Avoid our mistakes: Real Tips for First-Time Home Buyers. My husband and I talk about all the mistakes we made when buying our first home and we’re sharing the lessons we learned.