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Will my work ever truly feel meaningful?
“You can’t take it with you.” It’s a statement that shifts our perspective—from what’s temporary to what matters most: relationships and people. But it can lead us to wonder: Will my work ever really matter?
For King Solomon, the answer wasn’t found in what work produced, but in the work itself. After wrestling with the reality that everything we build will eventually be left behind, he writes, “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work” (Ecclesiastes 2:24, NLT).
Then he adds something important: “. . .these pleasures are from the hand of God” (Ecclesiastes 2:24, NLT). Our ability to work is a gift. And the good things that come with it—a vacation, a newer car, your favorite coffee on the way to work—those are gifts, too. God is present in your everyday life, and he wants you to enjoy it!
So what makes work meaningful?
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23, NLT).
Meaning isn’t tied to a title, a paycheck, or a platform. It’s found in how you work—and who you’re working for. When you bring dedication, purpose, integrity, and even joy into what you do, your work becomes an act of worship. That’s what it means to work “for the Lord.”
Maybe you’re in your dream job and feel energized when you start your day. Or maybe you’re in a season where work is anything but a dream—it feels draining and far from what you hoped for. Either way, your work matters. Whether you’re a CEO, a janitor, or a stay-at-home-parent, your work has meaning when you look for opportunities to introduce people to Jesus and live out your faith where you are.
Pray: God, please show me the opportunities you’ve placed in front of me. Give me the strength and courage to step into them and reflect you in my work. Amen.