There’s something about the sea that stirs the soul. I’m sitting on a balcony in southern Italy, gazing over the calm expanse of the Mediterranean at the close of a 25-day journey with my wife, Anna. Below me, older men and women rest on benches, some slowly walking the promenade, others simply watching the waves. I find myself reflecting on the brevity and beauty of life.
In the last week, I’ve had conversations about dementia, cancer, and aging. Some of Anna’s Italian relatives, just 5-10 years older than me, are facing some serious situations. All this has made me ponder the deeper questions: What is the point of it all? What is the meaning of life?
It’s a timeless question. One Solomon asked repeatedly in the book of Ecclesiastes—a book that doesn’t shy away from raw honesty. “Meaningless, meaningless,” he wrote, “everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Here was the wisest and wealthiest man of his time, who had tasted every pleasure, built vast empires, and achieved more than most—yet he came to the conclusion that all of it, apart from God, was a chasing after the wind.
Life Without God Is Empty
Solomon’s search for meaning took him down many roads—wisdom, pleasure, work, wealth, and legacy. None of them satisfied him. His conclusion? Life “under the sun”—life lived solely on the earthly plane—is ultimately futile. We are born, we live, we die. Time marches on. The waves roll in, then pull back out again. Unless there’s something more—something eternal—it all feels like dust in the wind.
But Ecclesiastes doesn’t end in despair. It ends in hope:
“Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.”
—Ecclesiastes 12:13
Life With God Is Full of Purpose
When we zoom out from Solomon’s musings and look at the full arc of Scripture, we begin to see the bigger picture. From Genesis to Revelation, God paints a story of redemption, restoration, and purpose. We were created in His image (Genesis 1:27), for relationship with Him (John 17:3), and for good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus brings clarity to the question of life’s meaning. When asked what the greatest commandment was, He didn’t hesitate:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
—Matthew 22:37, 39
That’s it. Love God. Love people. Everything else flows from that.
Paul echoes this in Philippians when he writes, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). In other words, life is about knowing and glorifying Jesus, and death only brings us closer to Him.
Enjoying Life’s Gifts
As Solomon reflects on the reality of aging and death, he also makes a surprising but beautiful observation:
“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun…”
—Ecclesiastes 9:9
Even in a book that often feels heavy, this moment of clarity and warmth shines through. Yes, life is short. Yes, time moves quickly. But God has also given us good gifts to enjoy along the way.
As I sit here beside Anna, watching the sea sparkle in the early morning sun, I’m reminded of how precious these moments are. Love, companionship, shared memories, laughter over Italian meals, morning walks by the sea—all of it matters. All of it is meaningful when received as a gift from God.
The Call to Live Wisely
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” That’s my prayer today. Not to fear aging or loss, but to live fully and wisely with the time I have—loving God deeply, serving others faithfully, and enjoying the beauty He’s placed around me. Even a conversation with a grandchild, a note of encouragement, or a moment of prayer carries eternal weight.
Final Thoughts
So what is the meaning of life?
It’s not found in the pursuit of pleasure or the avoidance of pain.
It’s not in fame, wealth, or even good health.
It’s found in God Himself—in knowing Him, walking with Him, and making Him known.
It’s also found in receiving His gifts with gratitude—in a sunrise over the sea, in the eyes of your spouse, in the stillness of prayer, in laughter shared around a dinner table.
As the sun arcs over the Mediterranean, I sense God’s peace. The waves keep rolling. The old folks still sit and smile. And I whisper, “Thank You, Lord… for life, for love, and for meaning that never fades.”
