Friday, May 26, 2006
# 147: Filling The Void
No matter what we engage in, or comes our way by luck, which brings us contentment and happiness, it never seems to bring lasting satisfaction. There always is something else (a void) we seem to desire, which we hope, will promise to make our lives feel valuable and interesting for the remainder of our days. Why is this? I will attempt to answer that question.
Because of our intelligence and other unique features, we have elevated humans above the animal kingdom. And that is all well and good. But we must never forget we are still nothing more than hybrid animals. I am certain some will get their nose bent out of joint because of that statement. And say, God said, “We were created in the image of God.” True. But, let me make a distinction. We were created by God through His evolution process and given the potential to acquire the same attributes as Him. Nevertheless, without an active desire for those godly qualities, we continue to remain in the high-class animal kingdom–sophisticated though it may be.
When an animal gains cognitive powers (the abilities to think seriously and deeply) is where the problem starts and never ends. Human intelligence does not settle for tidbits of whatever is considered valuable, but desires a continual Shangri-La type lifestyle. Sad to say, desirable as it sounds, Shangri-La is only a fairytale and does not exist in this physical world.
But there is an existence that not only promises tranquil security and joy in all circumstances, but also allows people to actually share in the life of the God (being adapted into the family of God). That is what ‘being created in the image of God’ means. The only thing is the physical world with all its niceties, cannot give us this life--and as I have said in previous occasions--it only is given by God, in response to belief (active faith) and for a very specific purpose. That objective is to PROMOTE, through an active life of belief, God’s holy plan of love and goodness, through Jesus Christ.
When we are accepted by God because of belief in His only Son, this is what occurs: The love of God that is experienced by His very special partners (genuine Christians) is beyond human words to verbalize. Although, the appreciation for that love is expressed by a life of dedication to the cause of Jesus Christ, the result is a life of continual meaning–filling the void–God’s love for His own is more valuable than any human love can ever give–there is the answer: God’s love fills the void. This may not happen overnight, but God guarantees it will come to fruition. The love that God has for His own could, very well, be our greatest earthly reward. If this sounds farfetched, it, most likely is according to religious circles, but nevertheless, it is reality in the hearts and minds of all who devote their lives to God. I am not talking about becoming a priest, nun, preacher or other type of religious leader, but just, if you will, a God approved, run--of--the–mill Christian (you and I).
The distressing thing is that religion per-se, does not offer the complete Christian blueprint. They make religion as easy and desirable as possible by negating, just about, anything that is disagreeable to our human nature and for their good reason: money, prestige, power and an easy job, if you can call it job. This is where 'Religion’s Crime Against God' comes to the rescue and candidly brings out the details that fill the seemingly eternal void that this physical world, nor organized religion cannot surfeit.
Of course, there are many who think I am only making some ‘it’s-all-in-your-head’ type noise. They are the people who are so entrenched in the status-quo of organized religion, they wouldn’t recognize the truth even if Jesus Christ came down in person; and He does come as a human, but always in an unlikely disguise. I have been singing the same Biblically unpopular, monotonous note for over a year: ‘Religion’s Crime Against God.’ I am inspired by the Holy Spirit, to just keep it up until my last breath, which can’t come soon enough. To me, the contentment, happiness, and security the world offers, in comparison to what God freely gives–to put it in colloquial terms–is nothing short of ca-ca. My most adamant prayer is that a few needy people will heed the strong, but Godly, words in this blog, and follow through with a holy life.
In conclusion: to experience a life of continual contentment which is not fleeting with every passing season, there is only one solution: adherence to what Jesus Christ commands in the New Testament. It won’t be easy, it won’t feel natural, it won’t be cheap. It will cost just about everything that is of value in this world. That is a steep price to pay, but the result will make it more than worthwhile.
I am not only writing words I read in a book or what someone told/taught me; I am talking about a life that I am experiencing. My life, the life of Jesus Christ and hopefully many others are a testimony to what is written in this post. Read these posts alongside the New Testament and start putting them into practice. If for whatever reason you can’t/won’t, it is either your tough luck, or the influence of friendly, leach-type, happiness seeking demons? You decide.
Just remember this: almost everything in this world, human ingenuity has accomplished is here to satisfy the desire of ordinary ungodly people; although, most "good people" don’t think of themselves as ungodly. Anything unpopular (low ratings) which doesn’t please the majority will become obsolete and make room for something more desirable (principle of demand and supply). Another thing to remember is that MONEY–not love–makes the world go around. That type of worldly stuff/attributes, be what they may, as a result of money, will never give lasting satisfaction; it will create an ever-present void, which will be one’s continually nagging and demanding bedfellow.
