What's the Point?

How do we find meaning in the seeming futility of life?

On a day he lacked the will and courage to even get out of bed, my son said to me, “Everything just feels empty and meaningless. What’s the point of it all?”

My ears and heart were open and receptive in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Perhaps for the first time since becoming a mother, I listened to ‘understand and respond’ instead of the usual ‘fix and correct.’

The Lord’s Spirit was present and guarded my mind against fear and reactivity. And I believe it’s because I maintained a calm, unreactive presence my son felt safe to share the dark shadowy thoughts that had taken up residence in his mind.

What is the point of it all?

Of the suffering? Of homework? Of chores?

Why are we here? Why did God make us?

Such heavy questions. But my fifteen-year-old has always possessed a deep, inquisitive nature. An empath—sensitive and intuitive, he offers a unique perspective on worldly affairs. A deep thinker the likes of which I’ve rarely known among teens (and having taught high schoolers for a decade, I’ve known many), he delights anyone privileged to engage in meaningful conversation with him. “He’s a very special boy” has been a sentiment shared by numerous teachers, and I whole-heartedly agree.

As wonderful as these traits are in a person, they also leave one susceptible to feelings of despair as the realities of living in a fallen world are felt more deeply by the highly sensitive.

I remember asking the same question to a former pastor maybe 20 years ago. “What is the meaning of life anyway?” To my disappointment and frustration, he looked at me with startled eyes for a moment before replying, “I’m not sure.”

Goodness, if even a man of the cloth didn’t know, how on earth could anyone else figure it out?

Sometimes I think we make things more difficult than they really are.

I think so many have trouble hearing and believing the gospel, for example, because it’s so simple—too simple. Nothing comes that easily. Our pride refuses to accept the notion that we contribute nothing to our salvation, but rather, it’s all done by God, even the very faith we possess. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8)

The first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” In other words, what is the ultimate purpose of my existence?
Is it surprising so heavy a question receives such a simple answer? “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

What’s that? Come again?
What about getting married and having babies? Finding a career I’m passionate about? What about saving for retirement? And going on family road trips? And volunteering? What about taking care of my home? And shoveling my neighbor’s driveway out of the goodness in my heart?

Aren’t those things important and meaningful?

Well, sure. But listen. I’ve learned something about life in my fifty short years here and I want to share it with you.

Everything and I mean every. thing. points ahead of itself to something—someone—even greater.

Any time we assign ultimate meaning and purpose to one of those things listed above (and any number of other things) we will eventually experience discontent and even emptiness. This futility is what King Solomon discovered and shared in his book Ecclesiastes.

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure… Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind…” (Eccles 2:10-11)

I have since learned that everything God has created and instituted here on earth is designed for the purpose of leading us to Him. And when we remove Christ from our lives, it becomes futile, meaningless, and empty.

Take, for instance, marriage. I enjoyed a beautiful wedding day—my husband worked so hard to create the wedding of my dreams. I had the elaborate white dress and bridesmaids and flowers. Richard and his groomsmen were decked out in fancy black tuxedos. I walked down the aisle to be given away by my dad. We had music and dancing and fabulous food—so much food. And we surprised everyone with a rumba for our first dance as husband and wife. Our friends and family were invited to partake in something beautiful.

It wasn’t until much, much later that I really understood the point of it all. It’s not for tradition’s sake we include these pieces in a wedding (though for many, that is the reason for them), it’s intended to portray a picture of the future Wedding Feast of the Lamb as painted in Revelation. The day when the Bride of Christ—His Church—is presented to Him wearing the exquisite robes of His Righteousness.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Rev 19:7-8)

Nothing in this life should be thought of as purely an end unto itself. Surely, things in themselves can bring joy, but if anything is to have ultimate meaning, it must point ahead to Jesus, else we will fall into the disillusioned and futile thinking Solomon experienced.

Marriage
Children.
Volunteering.
Work.
Leadership roles.
Even suffering.

When I imagine each of these pointing to Jesus, my perspective shifts. Marriage isn’t about me and what makes me happy anymore, it’s a portrait of the faithful covenant between the Lord and His people. It points to the sacrifice Jesus made for the benefit of His bride. It’s about true love demonstrated through submission and service.

It’s about Jesus saying, “Go and do likewise.”

When I think about the purpose of parenting, volunteering, and work through the lens of Jesus, everything gains richer meaning and depth extending beyond itself. Because through these very means God is transforming us to become more and more like His precious Son. And that’s the point.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18)

Everything He has brought me to in life—marriage, parenting, career, service, and yes, even trials and suffering—has passed through His Sovereign fingers to work for my ultimate good and His glory.

It’s for my benefit, but it’s not about ‘me.’ It’s about Him. It’s always about Him!

As John the Baptist, Christ’s groomsman declared: “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:29-30)

Are you searching for meaning, my friend? Look to Jesus. See His hand in everything.
“For by Him all things were created…all things were created by Him and for Him…and in Him all things hold together.” (see Col 1:15-18)

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