Vanity of Vanities, Dude
Why Faith’s the Only Flex Gen Z Needs
A couple of years ago, I was a typical Gen Z individual, lost in the whirlwind of college and the dream of creating a legacy that would outlast me. I chased success, validation, and pondered how I could make a name for myself that might echo beyond my lifetime. But the pressure to “make it” left me restless, anxious, and empty. Then I became a Christian, and my recent study in the Book of Ecclesiastes has flipped my world upside down. Ancient wisdom, penned by King Solomon, shows that the pursuit of meaning and legacy is a dead end—and that true purpose lies in faith, reverence for God, and living out His commandments. If Gen Z men, and our generation as a whole, turned to God and the Bible, I believe most of our problems—loneliness, anxiety, and the endless grind—would find resolution. The struggles we face aren’t new; they’ve haunted humanity forever, and Ecclesiastes proves it.
The Vanity Trap and Gen Z’s Struggles
Ecclesiastes hits hard right out of the gate: “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, ESV). Solomon, who had it all—wealth, power, wisdom, and a kingdom that made him the envy of the ancient world—calls these pursuits “a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). He tested everything: pleasure, work, riches, even knowledge (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Spoiler alert: it all came up empty. “All was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
Sound familiar? Gen Z men are drowning in the same chase. We’re told to hustle, go viral, or at least stack enough crypto to retire at 25. I spent nights scrolling X and stressing over my “personal brand,” only to feel more lost. Our generation faces sky-high expectations: to be successful, influential, and remembered. But the harder we run, the more we crash into burnout, anxiety, or that nagging sense that nothing’s enough. The mental health crisis among Gen Z is real—studies show nearly half of us report persistent sadness or hopelessness. Loneliness is rampant, with many young men struggling to form deep connections. We’re connected online but isolated in real life, chasing digital applause while craving real meaning.
Here’s the kicker: these problems aren’t new. If we cracked open our Bibles, we’d see that Ecclesiastes has been calling to us with a fix for our daily lives.
Faith as the Fix
Ecclesiastes doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it offers a cure. After chasing every shiny thing under the sun, Solomon lands on this: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). That’s not just advice—it’s a lifeline. For Gen Z, turning to God and anchoring our lives in faith could unravel the knots we’re tied in.
Faith reorients our priorities. Instead of chasing likes or legacies, we’re called to live for God’s glory. That shift cuts through the noise. The pressure to perform, to be “enough,” fades when you know your worth comes from God. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In a generation addicted to hustle, faith teaches us to rest, to trust, to let go of the wind.
Faith also builds community. Ecclesiastes nails it: “Two are better than one… for if they fall, one will lift his fellow” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Gen Z’s loneliness epidemic could be eased if we leaned into faith-based communities—churches, Bible studies, or even small groups of believers. I’ve found more connection in a weekly Bible study than in a thousand group chats. Faith reminds us we’re not meant to go it alone, countering the isolation that social media often breeds.
Philippians 4:6-7 promises peace that “surpasses understanding” when we bring our anxieties to God. Ecclesiastes itself teaches us to accept life’s ups and downs: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Knowing God is in control helps us navigate uncertainty without spiraling. If Gen Z embraced this, we might trade some of our collective anxiety for trust in something bigger.
Why the Bible Matters
If we want to tap into this wisdom, we need to read our Bibles. Ecclesiastes is just one book, but it’s packed with truth that speaks to our generation. The Bible isn’t a dusty relic; it’s a living guide, sharper than any life hack. (Hebrews 4:12). It’s where we meet God, learn His will, and find answers to life’s big questions.
The Bible shows us our struggles aren’t unique. Job grappled with suffering. David faced fear and failure. The disciples dealt with doubt. Gen Z’s battles—comparison, purposelessness, despair—echo through Scripture. Ecclesiastes, especially, reads like a diary of human futility, proving that our angst is just a high-tech version of age-old problems. Reading it, we realize we’re not alone, and there’s a way forward.
More than that, the Bible points us to Jesus, who said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). For a generation carrying the weight of expectations, that’s a game-changer. Through Christ, we find forgiveness, purpose, and a relationship with God. If Gen Z men dusted off our Bibles and dug in, we’d find the wisdom to navigate our chaos and the hope to live differently. Isn’t that what so many of us want?
Legacy? Let It Fade
Gen Z’s fixation on legacy—being remembered, leaving a mark—is a heavy burden. We want our names in history books or at least a trending hashtag. But Ecclesiastes shuts that down: “There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Ecclesiastes 1:11).
Faith frees us from that trap. Instead of building monuments to ourselves, we’re called to live for God’s kingdom, which never fades (Matthew 6:33). I used to obsess over “making my mark,” but now I’m learning to focus on what’s eternal—loving God, serving others, living with integrity. Ecclesiastes also reminds us to enjoy life’s simple gifts: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil” (Ecclesiastes 2:24). Work, friends, family, faith—these are God’s blessings, not distractions from some grander goal.
A Call to Gen Z
Gen Z’s problems—loneliness, anxiety, the search for meaning—cannot be fixed by another app or philosophy. They’re spiritual, and the answer is faith. If we turn to God, fear Him, and live out His Word, we’ll find purpose that outlasts our X profiles. If we read our Bibles, we’ll see our struggles aren’t new, but the wisdom to face them is timeless. Ecclesiastes calls us out, but it also calls us back to a life of faith, simplicity, and connection with God. As a young man, I’m betting everything on this: chasing Him is enough.