In a world where all seems to be moving at say a 100 miles per hour, we all find it hard to keep steady relationships or even enjoy a time of solitude.
We run and keep chasing after the wind, hoping to beat the recession or whatever else there is to beat. Pursuing money, fame and perhaps there are some out there trying to attain a better life. We go with the notion that if I just obtain this or that then I will be happy. Sadly, one finds that this cycle never ends. Once that which is desired is obtained, we find that many a few are still left empty. Hungry, thirsty souls searching for that which will fill them from the realisation that the attained desire is nothing short of an empty glass.
The issue is this, in our fenzy to gather as much as we can or obtain the things society has caused us to believe is the key to success or happiness, many of us lose ourselves. We lose sight of what is important, we fail to remember why we are here. Thus, in our purpose, we become purposeless. Breathing but not living. What a shame it really is.
Lest you begin to think I am against fame or wealth, let me make it clear that this is not the case. I completely believe God is all about blessing us, Abraham being a perfect example. – “And I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” – Genesis 12:2. However, the problem begins when one starts to abuse these things causing them to become a god over the only true and living GOD – as it is stated in the book of 1 Timothy 6:10, “for the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil………”. Likewise, scripture also states “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” – Matthew 6:24.
Now, let’s journey back to the time of creation – God created man in His own image placing him in the garden of Eden, where he was to be in the constant presence of God. This is the place where God dwelled with man on earth – “And when they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…….” – Genesis 3:8. Sadly, after the fall of man, that closeness or fellowship between God and man was disrupted resulting in a broken world. Creating an empty void in us that can only be filled if we run back to Him, seeking that close relationship He had with man in the garden of Eden.
There is a point to this and I will go on to further explain. I solely believe that many of us chase after all the tangibles of life because we are yet to meet with God. From the beginning of time, we have been created to worship and be in constant fellowship with God – this is our first and foremost purpose. In my brevity, I believe that this is our purpose after which,everything else follows – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you” – Matthew 6:33.
This emptiness, the void that most feel even after achieving their life target I believe is as a result of their inability to surrender their lives to God. If only we could just tap into the power of God, seeking His kingdom first and foremost, the pursuit of happiness will ever be so cheerful and most importantly of great substance.
“…….That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING and what THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS, and what is the EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TO US-WARD WHO BELIEVE, according to the working of His mighty power” – Ephesians 1:16-19
This as stated above is what we stand to achieve if only we completely surrender our lives to God.
I am convinced that quite a number of individuals chase or desire wealth, fame and all that jazz for the wrong reasons. It is as though one has forgotten that the things we acquire on earth cannot travel in time with us upon our time of demise. It is ONLY the Word of God that stands the test of time. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words will not pass away” – Matthew 24:35. Now see why I say we need the word and much so the power of God in our lives.
As I conclude, I want us to really think about our motives and the reason for our drive to success. Would you rather be successful and unhappy than be happy in your success? Are you pursuing these things in hope to find happiness in them? For selfish reasons? To please man? To oppress your fellow brother/sister? What is the main source of your happiness?? Material things?
In all of this, my advice to us and to myself likewise is this – before we begin to chase after what society has defined as the key to happiness, let us remember that true and sustainable happiness can only be found in God through Christ Jesus. Finally, bear in mind that everything else will eventually wither away, even us as a people. “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and its flowers falls away, But the WORD of the Lord endures forever.” – 1 Peter 1: 24-25.
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