For the author of Ecclesiastes, any attempt to try and control our lives is pointless. But life itself is not. Though life is full of so much hevel, there is joy to be found in enjoying good company and a good meal, in planting gardens and contributing to our communities, and overall, in accepting the hevel and trusting that God is in control of things we can’t begin to understand.

The book of Ecclesiastes is the author’s response to Proverbs. From their perspective, life isn’t so simple as fearing God and choosing wisdom. Life is fleeting and unpredictable and our existence is a blip of time. In their words, “it’s all hevel.” So is there any point at all? Yes, but it may surprise you.