“Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee.”-Saint Augustine
Yet, how do we rest in God. We are born with such a desire to seek pleasure. We long for beauty and we long for happiness. Yet, in the midst of that longing there seems to always be a part of us that remains dissatisfied. When in high school, we believe happiness is around the corner when we are on our own. If single, we think it can be found in marriage. We search for it in friends, careers, houses, cars, clubs, success, and things; only, to find ourselves once more dissatisfied, unhappy, and despairing of life itself. All those things lead us ever deeper into a pit and away from the only thing that can truly satisfy our soul.
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Proverbs 14: (AMP) “12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.”
None of those desires are bad in themselves. They seem to be good things to strive for. Yet, when we find they don’t satisfy the longing of our hearts we begin to look around and follow after “fun times”. Maybe we should just join the party crowd and forget about being so responsible. Yet, there again we find ourselves in a place of brokenness. Then we find ourselves saying, “Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.” (Proverbs 14: 13 (MSG)
We become filled with ourselves in this endeavor. Proverbs 14: (KJV) 14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. Our personal feelings become the center of everything. After all, “don’t I deserve to be happy?” Then off on some other pursuit we go. Maybe an affair could satisfy this empty void? Perhaps a new car or house would make me happy. Maybe, I could be more content if I was alone? We listen to the advertisements of things that promise to make us happy and we believe them (verse 15). We become enraged and angry that anyone should suggest we not pursue our own happiness anyway we want and at whatever cost (Verses 16-17) We disdain those who are unfortunate and hate the thought of sharing any part of our own wealth to help anyone else (Verses 21-22) Gossip, slander, and lies become a part of life, as bitterness grows (Verses 23-25). Too often, man never recognizes that true joy can only be found in God (verses 26-27).
We were made to have a relationship with our creator, to see the beauty and Glory that He is, to love and be loved by Him. Nothing else can fully satisfy that longing of the heart. God is the only treasure worth seeking and the only true Joy for our restless souls.
We need to pray like Saint Augustine in this quote that Christ enter in and shed light into every dark crevice of our hearts so that we might see Him, desire Him and be filled with Him.
“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.” –Saint Augustine
Following Christ does not mean that there will be no crosses to bear and no trials to walk through. On the contrary, the path is strewn with great obstacles. From a human perspective, it would not appear to be the right path. It is a path that may require great sacrifice and even suffering from a human point of view; yet, there in the center of it all there is joy, peace and hope. Even for us who have strayed from the path, there is a way back to joy. Like David, when he prayed for God to “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 12:12 (NIV))
God can and is ever willing to restore us, to fill us with Him and to give us the willingness of spirit to sustain us through every fiery trial. This path with all its pain, suffering and sorrow may not be the path that seems right to man. Man keeps wanting the name it-claim it path. Yet, as Peter had learned through great loss, Christ was all he needed to be joyful. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”( 1 Peter 4:13 KJV)
True joy can only be found in Him. Lay aside all the counterfeit joys that you have been pursuing and seek Him. “11 [The Lord God says] And the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing to Zion; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.12 I, even I, am He Who comforts you.” Isaiah 51 (AMP)
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