The Empty Chase

If I work hard and long enough

I will have the body that either I have always wanted or what I believe others will admire about me. If I save my money, I can purchase a beautiful car, fabulous clothing, or a huge house that will put me on pace with those who have “arrived.” If I can have a girlfriend or boyfriend that are incredibly attractive, everyone will be impressed with my relationship. If I act tough enough around other people, they will fear me, which builds me up and gives me power over them. If I am kind enough and shower people with enough compliments, they will love me and think very highly of me, and the list goes on and on and on. But a question arises, it always does … then what?

Lately, these issues have been branded into my brain as I often ponder the complexity of human life. The motives and the choices we make in life drive us to chase after things that simply cannot bring us any satisfaction or contentment. They leave us more miserable than when we started. It’s like when you pretend to throw a stick for your dog, to which he immediately turns and runs, passionately pursuing something that doesn’t even exist. But so much energy and time was wasted as he diligently looked.

The great philosopher Jim Carrey was once quoted saying, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.”

This is coming from a man who, by the world’s standards, has achieved a lot. Yet, as he shares, it hasn’t filled that empty hole in the middle of his heart. In fact, obtaining great wealth and popularity has only made it clearer to him that those things mean very little. So, there you go. Now that we know this truth, we can just stop worrying about the fleeting pleasures of planet Earth and let it go, right?

Wrong. In fact, we continue in our self-absorbed pursuit. Thousands upon thousands have literally wasted their whole lives chasing after this treasure that doesn’t exist, which tragically has left lives empty and souls burning in hell.

Mark 8:36 says, “...for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

I am guilty. In fact, my incite comes from my own personal experience. I have no excuse, and I am just downright tired and exhausted. The chase has left me in the desert of my own affliction without water to nourish my own soul. I am finished with cultures lies of what they say it is to be satisfied and content.

I don’t want a quick fix nor to talk about my feelings for hours upon hours. I want the TRUTH. What will be the deepest of satisfaction and contentment in this broken world?

The truth is found in the inspired Word of God, the Bible. It’s not found in your feelings, it’s not found in possessions, and it is certainly not found in the approval of people who are just as broken and jacked up as you! No, I believe that the Bible is the only medicine that can heal this sickness in my heart. I said I believe it! It’s not my mother or father pushing me towards it because that is what good little boys and girls do. It’s not my Pastor guilting me or manipulating me to say a prayer and put money in the offering plate. It’s my own faith in the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ.

The Westminster Catechism states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” John Piper takes it a step further and says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.”

If I am not careful, I find myself miserable and empty when I pursue the things of this world for the glorification of myself, for my own kingdom, and for my own glory. But by the grace of God alone, I am reminded of the truths of scripture. The truth found in Matthew 6:33, which profoundly says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is also echoed by C.S. Lewis in his book “Mere Christianity” when it states, “Aim at Heaven, and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth, and you will get neither.”

I want to be a blessing of encouragement to you if your heart is heavy. Seek Christ. Pursue the only truth that matters found in His Word. Learn and obey what it says. Make your life count, and leave a legacy of God’s grace to those you leave behind. Preach the Gospel until everyone in your family gets saved. “Glorify God by enjoying Him forever.”

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21