Searching for Something?

Life on earth is one of pursuit.  Everyone is chasing something:  status, a feeling, career, relationships, sexual conquest, entertainment, riches, security, and on the list goes.  Inigo Montoya in "The Princess Bride" thirsted for revenge, but when his desire was finally obtained he didn't know what to do.  It was anti-climactic and left him empty.  King Solomon explains his many royal pursuits in Ecclesiastes.  His conclusion after following the rabbit trail of alcohol, comedy, women, work, and music to the end?  Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!

An example of this human tragedy is seen in the story of Amnon and Tamar.  Amnon was a prince in Israel and loved his half-sister Tamar.  He was so love-struck he became literally ill with desire.  One of his scheming friends concocted a plan so he could have his way with her.  It's an ugly story, but a reality that plays out in unregenerate hearts every day.  The trap was set by feigning illness and requesting that Tamar bring food for him to eat.  After commanding that everyone leave his chamber, he asked her to sleep with him.  When she refused, Amnon raped her.  2 Samuel 13:15 reads, "Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, "Arise, be gone!"  Amnon had his wish, but ended up with a mouthful of gravel.

I can see a new CEO sitting in his high-rise office, looking towards the beautiful ocean view.  He leans back in his leather chair which cost thousands, stretching his clasped hands behind his head, drinking it in.  I've finally made it to the top, he smiles to himself.  I'm finally here.  My dream that I've worked my whole life for is fulfilled!  I see his smile slowly fade as it dawns upon him:  is this it?  What now?  I've climbed to the top of the ladder but I haven't actually gone anywhere.  The emptiness in his heart can't been touched, even by millions of dollars or a new parking space.  Why so empty?

I see a gridiron star fall to his knees jubilant as his team wins the Super Bowl, the biggest game of them all.  It means football immortality, a huge ring, perhaps even a bust in Canton and a yellow jacket.  As he slaps on the hat that says "Champions" amid the falling confetti, the decades of labour in the weight room, on the field, and studying film flash before his eyes.  With his teammates he hoists the trophy with a shout, lowering the silver beauty only to give it a kiss.  But the nagging feeling he can't shake is that this will soon be over.  In a few weeks he will be preparing for next season, starting all over again.  Tonight the alcohol will flow, tomorrow he will have a headache he'd like to forget, and wake up next to a woman or two he can't get rid of fast enough.  Hugging his coach, he puts these thoughts out of his mind for as long as possible.

Every person in this world is running, chasing, grasping for the wind.  Even when we obtain the desire of our eyes, it cannot satisfy us as we hoped.  The reason?  Man has been created in God's image with a spiritual component.  Every human being has a soul that longs for God.  As we grow older, we realise that there is nothing in this world that can satisfy that innate thirst.  Only a relationship with God can satisfy our souls through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  David wrote in Psalm 23:1:  "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."  The world and all there is within leaves us empty and dead, but in Christ the Good Shepherd we find salvation and satisfaction.  Psalm 34:10 affirms, "The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing." 

Do you know how it feels to be without want?  Jesus will supply all the needs of those who repent and come to Him in faith!  Come to Jesus, you who search for significance and satisfaction.  Jesus is who your soul is searching for.