“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” — Ecclesiastes 2:11a
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In June 2005, legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady was famously featured on an episode of CBS’s documentary-style news program “60 Minutes.” He was 27 years old, in the prime of his career and at the top of the football world, having recently won his third of what would become a record seven Super Bowls.
Yet when asked in the interview what he’d learned through all his success, Brady — in a moment of incredible sincerity and vulnerability — revealed his futile quest to find meaning in Super Bowls.
“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there’s something greater out there for me?” he asked. “… I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, ‘God, it’s gotta be more than this. I mean, this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.'”
So what’s the answer?
“I wish I knew!” he exclaimed. “I wish I knew.”
The sentiment behind Brady’s comments has been a common refrain throughout the generations and across the sports landscape. Once accomplished, these lifelong goals that athletes set for themselves and work tirelessly to achieve don’t fulfill them in the way they’d hoped. Too often, they’re left discontented, still in search of ultimate meaning and the true purpose of their lives.
It’s a sentiment the Bible addresses most directly in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The author of the book tells of how he sought lasting meaning in wealth, possessions, career, relationships, alcohol and even wisdom itself. None of it sufficed. Then, in the second-to-last verse of the book, a powerful verdict is delivered: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
After a life lived trying (and failing) to derive inner peace from earthly pleasures, the author had learned his lesson. Inner peace isn’t found in anything of this world — not the number in your bank account, the admiration of other people, or the Super Bowls you win. Meaning is found in knowing God, being known by Him and living the life He’s called you to live.
The things of this world aren’t worthless in and of themselves. Strive as hard as you can after your athletic goals. Work diligently at your job and provide for the people around you. But we weren’t made to find lasting meaning in any of that, only in God Himself. If we get them flipped, we will always wind up disappointed.
— Kevin Mercer
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