Why is it that we all hit a point in our lives where we don’t know who we are, what we want, where we can start out, and how we can get there?

Humans always desire…stuff. We desire material things (like new cars, new homes, new clothes, and new technology). We desire relationships (like with our parents, with our children, with our friends, and with our significant other). We desire to be recognized (by our accomplishments, our intellect, or our beauty). We desire to have purpose (or to have meaning to our life). The problem isn’t our desires, the problem lies with the fact that we settle for what the world has to offer. We live in a fallen world (Romans 3:23), yet we think that this world will satisfy us. The issue is not that we seek pleasure too strongly, but that we don’t seek pleasure strong enough. God ultimately can fulfill our desires and needs, and anything less than Him will leave us feeling empty. As C.S. Lewis once stated:

“Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Regarding materials, we’re called to place our treasures in heaven, not here on earth (Matthew 6:20). Regarding relationships, we’re called to love God because He first loved us (I John 4:19). Regarding recognition, if we proclaim Christ now, He will proclaim us to the Father when we’re in heaven (I Timothy 2:5). Regarding purpose, we’re called to have all our words and deeds be for the glory of God (Colossians 3:17). So if you are ever feeling down, confused, or lost for your purpose in this world, just remember…this world is not our home, and ultimately we will not be fulfilled until we return home to Christ and to heaven. We have been called by our Creator to live for Him, and He wants a meaningful, close, and personal relationship with each one of us.

Jon Kragel