What Is the Meaning of Life?

What does it mean to truly live with purpose and fulfillment? 

Many people, while chasing achievements or personal goals, eventually wonder why their lives feel unfulfilled, and why their relationships or ambitions ultimately feel empty. As the writer of Ecclesiastes observed, many pursuits reveal their hollowness only after years have been devoted to them (Ecclesiastes 1–2).

In today's culture, it's easy to lose sight of life’s meaning. People often seek it in career success, wealth, relationships, pleasure, and philanthropy. But countless individuals who have “achieved it all” testify to an inner emptiness. Even though they’ve reached their goals, the void remains.

The author of Ecclesiastes, traditionally thought to be King Solomon, also pursued every avenue for meaning—wealth, wisdom, pleasure, and power—only to find them all “meaningless, utterly meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He described life “under the sun,” focused solely on what we can see and experience, as devoid of lasting value. This emptiness reflects our need for something beyond this earthly existence. As Solomon said, “God has also set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Deep within, we sense there’s more than the here and now.

The book of Genesis hints at this purpose: God created humans in His own image (Genesis 1:26), giving each of us inherent worth and a calling to reflect His nature. Before humanity’s fall into sin, God gave people purpose and fulfillment through meaningful work, community, fellowship with Him, and stewardship over creation (Genesis 2–3). However, sin damaged these aspects, and as a result, our sense of purpose and connection was fractured.

The Bible promises restoration. Revelation foretells that God will renew creation, eliminating sin, sorrow, and death (Revelation 21:4). In this new creation, God will dwell with His people, restoring full fellowship (Revelation 21:7). Life’s ultimate tragedy would be to achieve everything yet miss this relationship with God, for it is through Him that true meaning is found. Jesus provides the way to this restored life.

Life’s Purpose Restored in Christ

Through Jesus, God invites us to rediscover life’s meaning. Jesus came so we might have life “to the full” (John 10:10). This fullness—life rich in purpose and direction—is available through faith in Him. By trusting in Christ, we are reconciled to God, beginning a lifelong journey of knowing Him.

God created us for His glory, to reflect His nature and love (Isaiah 43:7). Jesus emphasized that true fulfillment requires surrender, saying, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). When we find joy in God, He aligns our hearts with His own, leading us to the fulfillment we seek (Psalm 37:4).

Ultimately, the meaning of life is to glorify God and enjoy a restored relationship with Him. It is in living for something eternal, rather than what is fleeting, that life’s deepest purpose is realized.