Hope Remains, latest novel by the author
Fools Gold – a brassy yellow mineral, especially pyrite, that can be mistaken for gold
“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” Blaise Pascal French Mathematician 1623-1662
Wasn’t it the Rolling Stones who could get no satisfaction after trying and trying and trying?
King Solomon tried all manner of worldly delights to satisfy his emptiness.[1] Denying himself nothing he saw around him, he concluded that it was all “vanity and striving after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:11b (NASB)
Trying everything, but failing to find joy, Solomon was left hopeless and despondent. “I hated life, for the work which has been done under the sun was grievous to me, because everything is futility and striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:17 (NASB)
He would later conclude, that God has set eternity in the hearts of men.[2] Solomon had the means to attempt to fill his deep need for satisfaction and joy with all the world has to offer. None of it worked. At the end of his search, he hated life because he recognized the utter futility of trying to fill the eternal hole in his hearts with anything around him.
God designed our hearts for joy. We were intended to be fulfilled by God Himself, the fullness of all joy.[3]
Until we realize that true joy and fulfillment comes from God himself, our lives will be endless pursuits of fleeting, temporal, pleasure which only lead to idols and addictions.
If temporal pursuits could fulfill us, wouldn’t those in society who have gained all the success, money and fame possible be the happiest among us? Are they?
Challenging Questions to Ponder: Is there something you’re looking forward to, or hoping for, which you believe will finally bring you fulfillment and happiness? Moving out on you own? Completing college? Getting married? Buying your own house? Getting out of debt? Getting promoted at work? Having children? Starting your own business? Publishing a book? Having good health? Having grandchildren? Retiring? Winning the lottery?
These can be good things, but will they provide lasting fulfillment?
What is the overall goal of your life? Happiness or a growing relationship with the Creator of the Universe? Desiring happiness is not a bad thing, but true joy is a by product of our relationship with God through Jesus the Christ. It’s how He made us.
Prayer: Lord, help us not to fall into Solomon’s trap. The glitter of riches, fame, success and pleasure can keep us in a boundless pursuit of fool’s gold. If we could carry this quest to the ends that Solomon did, we too would find it a vain pursuit, a chasing after the wind. Lord, may we seek you, the pearl of great value, worthy of our all.[4]
What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. (From The Westminster Shorter Catechism,completed in 1647 by the Westminster Assembly)
[1] Ecclesiastes 2:1-10
[2] Ecclesiastes 3:11
[3] Psalm 16:11b
[4] Matthew 13:46