Of all the questions that we might spend time pondering on, this is by far the most intellectually challenging, and at the same time, the most needed. It expresses a need to know what life is about. Life is but a waste if we live it, yet know not what it is to be lived for. Thus, I commend those who ask why we are here.

In searching for answers to this all important question, one might look in various directions. We find in Scripture a man by the name of Solomon who set out on a quest to find the answer. He searched every conceivable avenue of human existence on this earth, yet still found no meaning or purpose for man. He writes of his search, "Whatever my eyes desired I did not withhold from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labour; and this was my reward from all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labour in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)

Solomon wrote the above words as he searched through worldly pursuits to find purpose in life. He built great houses with beautiful water pools and accented them with wonderful vineyards, gardens, and orchards. He had male and female servants tending to his grounds and to his needs. As king of Israel, Solomon was known to be the richest man who ever lived. Although Solomon had everything one could desire in this life, he concluded that it was all vanity because it provided no satisfaction.

Solomon realized that all his labour would avail nothing when he died. He saw that selfish toil and work lacked substance and meaning. Like wealth, popularity was also a poor goal, for it disappears with the man. He found nothing that this earth provides which would satisfy. He wrote, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase... There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt..." (Ecclesiastes 5:10,13)

We spend a great deal of our lives trying to satisfy7 ourselves with the things of this earth. We buy sports cars, houses, boats, 4x4s, etc.. "He who dies with the most toys wins." Just what that individual wins is never mentioned. We take elaborate vacationis, spend thousands on health products, and makeups. We focus so much on bettering our health, improving our financial status, and boosting our prestige among men, that we miss the meaning of life.

Solomon finally looked beyond the things this life has to offer. He realized that the purpose of man does not lie in the gathering of wealth, goods and prestige among men. He writes for us, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Only in serving God, obtaining the hope of eternal life, and doing those things which are pleasing to our Creator, may we find satisfaction. Herein, is the answer to the question, "why am I here?" Herein, is the meaning of life.