Endings are important. Well, we’ve come to the end of our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. All throughout these twelve chapters, Solomon has made his case that no satisfaction can be found under the sun. In the first six chapters, he told us the story of his own quest to find meaning in life. Then, to help us know how to live for God in this vain world, he showed us the difference between wisdom and foolishness in chapters 7-11. He ends it all in chapter 12 by talking about death and the fleeting nature of youth. In verse 8, he comes back to his original statement: “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.” Solomon has made his point—without God at the center, life is meaningless and empty. Trying to leave the Creator out of His universe is like trying to tell time on a watch that has no mainspring. God is the One who holds life together and brings purpose to it all. Without Him, there can be no lasting joy or ultimate meaning.