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; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11

She was crowned Miss USA while getting her law degree and an MBA. The former Division I college athlete then left law to become an Emmy Award nominated television correspondent—and she’d just turned 30.  But when she couldn’t answer what she called, “the world’s most important question,” Cheslie Kryst jumped to her death from a New York high-rise.

Kryst’s story is heartbreakingly sad.  Less than a year before, she had written, “I discovered that the world’s most important question…is why? Why earn more achievements just to collect another win? Why pursue another plaque or medal or line item on my resume? …Why work so hard to capture the dreams I’ve been taught by society to want when I continue to find only emptiness?”[1]

Like Cheslie Kryst, the writer of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes also concluded that “Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2).  This is bad news.  But along with the worst news, the Bible gives the best news. Yes, it says, apart from relationship with God the accomplishments of this life will never satisfy. But Jesus came to give us the picture of what humankind can be, through the work of His death and resurrection.  Healing, hope and a life of meaning and enjoyment are offered to all who will come.

Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love,” the Bible says, “…with Him is full redemption” (Psalm 130:7).

 

Resource reading: Luke 12:13-21

[1] Kryst, C. (2021, March 4). A Pageant Queen Reflects on Turning 30. Allure. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.allure.com/story/cheslie-kryst-miss-usa-on-turning-30