By: Pastor Jarren Rogers

“Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning, without meaning, life has no significance or hope.” – Rick Warren

This isn’t a feel-good devotion. If you’re looking for a cheerful reading to start off your day you might look elsewhere.

You are a vapor.

“You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

Do you ever look at how short life is and think, what’s the point? It may come after the death of a loved one or a tragic event in your life, but I think that we all struggle with the meaning of life at one point or another. Why do we live and suffer on earth just for it all to end in death?

The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes struggled with these same questions.

“‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

We work so hard, we toil, we try to gain wisdom, but in the end, we vanish and are forgotten. What’s the point in laughing? What’s the point in trying?

Here’s the answer:

“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26).

You see, our lives are meaningless if they are void of God. But what the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us is that with God in control, our lives have a meaning and a purpose. It doesn’t mean that it will be easy, but God promises He will work our lives together for good.

Plus, we have an eternal destiny to look forward to! After our life here on Earth, we get to spend eternity in Paradise, praising our God, free from pain and sadness.

Your life is so short in the grand scheme of eternity. You’re here today and gone tomorrow. It’s not the happiest of thoughts, but it’s the truth. Our time on this earth is so limited. But an eternal outlook can really change your perspective.

Knowing that your time is limited, how does it change the way you live? How does it change the way you spend your time?

Because our lives are but a mist, it stresses the importance of living your life for God. Everything that we do – the words that we say, the things we do, the life that we live – should bring glory to Him.

That is what makes our vapor of a life meaningful.

Parents: Explain to your children how a relationship with God can bring meaning and purpose to their lives.