“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

As one in the profession of teaching, I always relate to these words that open the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Particularly at this time of term.

The term feels long. Lent feels long. I’ve been sick for what seems like half the term. You wonder when it will end. And you are left questioning the meaning of it all.

Does it count for anything? Is there any point to it all? I turn up at work one day. And the next. And the next. And the…

You get the idea.

I know life can feel like that sometimes. Is there any point to it all? Does it count for anything?

Or are we just on some random planet, spinning around in a gigantic galaxy? Just particles floating around with other particules.

I think until God steps into the equation it is meaningless. Even if you’re highly motivated and want to improve the world and make it a better place, you have to have a reason why.

Without God, I don’t think there is a justifiable reason why.

So, if nothing else this Lent, why not go looking for God? If you’re looking for meaning in life you just might discover God’s got the goods.

Now, admittedly he’s not always easy to find. Some days I’m not even sure he’s there. But on those I keep trusting, keep asking and keep believing that there will be other days soon when he shows his face again.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

That’s another line from somewhere else in the Old Testament, the book of Jeremiah.

It was true then, and I believe it’s true still today. From age to age God is the same.

His word is true. He cannot lie. He cannot break a promise. He saves all who call on him.

And he brings meaning to this often very crazy world.

Yours praying you find Him,

Alison