The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

Why Everything Feels Meaningless (And How to Fix It) | Ecclesiastes 1:12-13


Listen Later

Have you ever poured your heart into a project, only to step back and wonder, What was the point? That haunting question about purpose and meaning is as old as humanity itself—and King Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, wrestled with it deeply.

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 1:12-13.

I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. — Ecclesiastes 1:12-13

Solomon, a man who had everything, took a hard look at life. He devoted himself to understanding the world—its pleasures, its pains, and its purpose. Yet, his ultimate conclusion? The busyness of life is an unhappy business. Despite our striving, knowledge, and toil, the weight of our efforts will be frustrating and incomplete.

But Solomon isn't condemning work. He’s exposing the emptiness of work without God. The world celebrates hustle—more wealth, more wisdom, more achievements—but none of it satisfies if God isn’t at the center. Without Him, life is just an exhausting cycle of busyness with no real meaning.

So, if you’re feeling drained by the busyness, it might be time to recalibrate. Instead of chasing significance in what you do, find it in who you belong to. Your work, relationships, and pursuits should flow downstream from your identity in Christ; if not, they will feel like busyness and not the business of God.

#Ecclesiastes #PurposeOverBusyness #SeekGodFirst

ASK THIS:
  1. Where do you currently seek meaning in your work and daily life?
  2. How does Solomon’s perspective challenge your view of success?
  3. What practical step can you take to make Christ the center of your daily pursuits?
  4. In what areas of your life do you feel the exhaustion of busyness rather than the peace of God?
DO THIS:

Reevaluate where your significance comes from—shift your focus from achievement to abiding in Christ.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me find my purpose in You rather than in my achievements. Align my work and desires with Your will so that I may live meaningfully. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Simple.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Daily Devotional by Vince MillerBy Vince Miller

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

50 ratings


More shows like The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

View all
Life.Church with Craig Groeschel by Life.Church

Life.Church with Craig Groeschel

3,400 Listeners

Focus on Parenting Podcast by Focus on the Family

Focus on Parenting Podcast

1,056 Listeners

Focus on Marriage Podcast by Focus on the Family

Focus on Marriage Podcast

1,840 Listeners

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

4,762 Listeners

Summit Life with J.D. Greear by J.D. Greear Ministries

Summit Life with J.D. Greear

1,282 Listeners

BibleProject by BibleProject Podcast

BibleProject

18,627 Listeners

Dad Tired by Jerrad Lopes

Dad Tired

1,372 Listeners

Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast by Jim Ramos

Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast

346 Listeners

Morning Mindset Christian Daily Devotional Bible study and prayer by Carey Green

Morning Mindset Christian Daily Devotional Bible study and prayer

1,666 Listeners

Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey by Blaze Podcast Network

Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

19,934 Listeners

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

The Bible Recap

35,114 Listeners

Net Positive with John Crist by John Crist

Net Positive with John Crist

1,047 Listeners

Therapy and Theology by Lysa TerKeurst

Therapy and Theology

1,870 Listeners

The Pure Athlete Podcast by Jeff Francoeur

The Pure Athlete Podcast

177 Listeners

Daily Strength: A 365-Day Devotional for Men by Crossway

Daily Strength: A 365-Day Devotional for Men

96 Listeners