The answer to this question lies
in our own longings and desires; for the good things in life, while created by
God for our enjoyment within bounds, were never designed to meet our deepest
need.
To support this answer, Sterrett
points to the words of Tom Brady during a 60
Minutes interview in which he expressed a longing for something more even
though at the time he had already won three Super Bowl rings. He also discusses
the writings of Solomon and Augustine to bolster this answer. Both of these men
indulged in the best the world had to offer and yet found it lacking. Both of
them concluded that only a right relationship with the Lord brings fulfillment.
Sterrett writes that the
following are lessons we learn from these men and from others:
·
Having
more things does not ensure more happiness. He writes: True
happiness comes in knowing, trusting, and experiencing God. Nothing else can
fill us up.1
·
We
must not resist inner restlessness or conviction of the soul. It may be that
God is using this to draw us to Himself. If we genuinely seek to know Him He
will respond.
·
We
can give thanks to God for temporal pleasures but fix our thoughts ultimately
on eternal pleasure found in Christ. Echoing 1 Timothy 6:19 Sterrett writes: Those
who say yes to Him will store up future treasure and even now begin to “experience
real life.”2
Only a right relationship with God
brings true contentment. Only trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord facilitates
this relationship. Why? Only He conquered sin and death, the two things separating
us from God, through His death on the cross and through His resurrection.
Stand
firm in Christ,
Chase
Footnotes:
1. Page 83.2. Page 86.
Forthcoming: A summary of Chapter Five: Why Should I Trust Jesus When All I Need to Do Is Trust Myself?
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