² “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”

According to Solomon, this is the end of man. Albert Camus agreed. He is a famous philosopher/author (of The Stranger (1942) and other books). He is considered to be an absurdist. He was an atheist like Nietzsche and Freud. One may argue that he took it a step further and did not see ANY point to living and it that it was all just, absurd.  He pointed to the Greek myth of Sisyphus as an illustration of what he meant, even writing a book The Myth of Sisyphus in 1942. The myth of Sisyphus in Greek mythology entails the story of a man who is condemned by the Gods to roll a boulder up a hill everyday, just to see it roll down again. He then goes back down and rolls it up again and again, it rolls back down. This happens for his entire life. His life is thereby pointless. Yet Camus encourages people to enjoy the journey and find some happiness while rolling their boulders.

Most of the Bible points to something radically different and this is to be expected as Nietzsche’s and similar era philosophies were created in direct opposition to Christianity. The book of Ecclesiastes does discuss meaninglessness. Some of what Solomon writes, sounds a lot like rolling that boulder up a hill. However, that is not the writer’s conclusion.

¹⁰ The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

¹¹ The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

¹² And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

¹⁴ For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The rest of the Bible paints a wildly story as do many NDE experiences. The Bible says that the purpose of life is to serve, trust,  and enjoy God and to serve and disciple others. This is evident throughout the Bible. Here is a sampling of Bible verses about the purpose of life: What Does the Bible Say About Purpose In Life? (openbible.info). In 2005, Howard Storm wrote in his book, My Descent into Death A Second Chance at Life, that he experienced a life review in which his experiences helping and serving others were considered the priority experiences in his life, according to Jesus. These experiences, which were considered just rolling the boulder to Mr. Storm, were the most important experiences in his life. Other NDErs have expressed similar surprises in what are the real priorities in life—helping and serving God and others.

So, Mr. Camus and others may say that you are just rolling a boulder in your life. However, that is not the message of the Lord. You need to chose whether you which path you will choose. One path leads to life and the other leads to death.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

——————————————————–W.