‘Uncle!’
Disillusioned, hopes crushed, my fragile world was crumbling around me. What I thought would bring lasting happiness left me disheartened, disappointed and empty. I wasn’t suicidal, but I felt like giving up. In fact, if I’d known where to go to ‘cry uncle,’ [1] I would have.
This describes several “low” points in my life. Maybe you’ve felt this way before.
I see now how I’d set my affections on God’s benefits rather than on God himself. Sometimes I still do.
I feel miserable during these times. But looking back, I see these very hard times as severe mercies, [2] each playing a part in further dislodging a destructive, disillusioning lie – Circumstantial happiness can bring lasting joy
Our God Shaped Void
In the 1600s, Bliase Pascal wrote that only an infinite, immutable object can fill man’s cravings for true happiness.
His point was that man tries in vain to fill this need for lasting satisfaction with everything around him, when in fact only God Himself can give us what we so passionately desire. What Pascal was describing came to be known as our God-shaped void. [3]
Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived, concluded that God has set eternity in the hearts of men. [4]
Deep within every human lies an unquenchable longing for someone eternal: God Himself.
Some have the means to try filling this void with all manner of worldly ‘pleasantries.’ However, when the temporal luster wears off, emptiness returns.
When the temporal happiness of each ‘conquest’ fades, folks set their sights on something more. But the story repeats itself, and despair grows.
Someone asked John D. Rockefeller, “How much money is enough?” He replied, “Just a little bit more.”
Others with fewer resources might hope their whole lives for riches or fame. However, never achieving them, they die chasing a dream which would have never satisfied them anyway.
Unless awakened, we keep on searching and endlessly hoping the next big thing will finally satisfy our longing souls.
Awakened
God told Abram what we need to know right this moment.
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward (Genesis 15:1b (NIV))
GOD HIMSELF is our GREAT REWARD. He fills the eternal void in our souls.
God Himself is the only one who can give us the deep JOY our hearts long for.
David discovered that the pinnacle of JOY is found only in being with God.
In Your presence is fullness of joy; (Psalm 16:11b).
The Joy of God exudes from every sunset, every flower, every breath.
I’m to draw near to God and His creation and stop trying to make happiness happen. I’m to take time to celebrate each moment God gives me.
After all, as a believer in Jesus Christ, I’m indwelt by His Holy Spirit. His creation is all around me and He is in me.
Consider what Jesus said:
I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger and he who believes in me will never thirst (John 6:35).
As His disciples, we need not hunger or thirst. He Himself is the eternal bread that deeply satisfies our souls.
Freshly baked bread.
If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’ (John 7:37b-38).
The Holy Spirit within us refreshes our weary, thirsty souls with rivers of living water.
Cool, crisp Living Water as from a mountain stream.
Prayer
Lord, I’m sorry for all I’ve chased after to try to satisfy the deep longings of my heart. Satisfaction can’t come from success because I’ve failed. It can’t come from pleasure because it quickly fades. It can’t come from people because they disappoint. It can’t come from trying to live a good life because I can’t.
You’ve given me so many things to enjoy: sunsets, puppies, flowers, ocean breezes, people I love, tea olives, chocolate, coffee, beaches and mountain streams. You are the Creator of it all. You alone are my Highest Joy. Only with You are other pleasures fully enjoyed.
Apart from You, other pleasures can become addictions and idols. But with You, all moment by moment pleasures can erupt into praise for who You are and all You’ve provided for me to enjoy.
I delight in You, Lord, above all else. Please guard my heart.
Amen
Reflections
Even though I’m increasingly aware that God Himself is my source of eternal Joy, I sometimes forget and join the world in seeking my fulfillment from what God has created and not in God Himself.
What I’ve realized is that we have to know there are forces at work to hide the fact that God Himself is our Highest Joy.
The world, enforced by Satan’s lies, can keep us pursuing fleeting pleasures even though we know how empty they are.
It is a moment-by-moment battle to think true thoughts and to keep our hearts centered on God for our fulfillment.
Paul warns us of what is going on behind the scenes to try to keep us from the knowledge of God. But he also reassures us that we have powerful weapons at our disposal to fight and destroy the lies of the enemy.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:3-5).
In speaking and dwelling on God’s truth our weapons are divinely powerful to destroy the strongholds of the enemy designed to hide the knowledge of God from us. Our job is to disagree with the lies and not allow them to be a part of us by agreeing with them.
For example, a lie might be that this or that ungodly act will bring the lasting fulfillment we so desperately need. And even though we know from experience that this lie is not true, our enemies’ ways are cunning and luring. We have a fight on our hands.
We must capture and unmask lies like these, thought by thought, to reveal them for the hideous deceptions that they are. Only in Jesus Christ will we find the lasting satisfaction, fulfillment and the joy we were created to experience.
You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound (Psalm 4:7).
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all referenced Scripture is from the NASB 1995 version of the Bible. The featured picture was generated by AI.
[1] The phrase, ‘cry uncle‘ may be an anglicization of the Irish word anacal, meaning “deliverance” or “mercy.” This theory is supported by the heavy Irish immigration to North America in the 19th century. There are also other theories about it’s origin.
[2] I first heard this term from a book entitled A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
[3] Pensées, Blaise Pascal (Published in 1670 after his death)
[4] Ecclesiastes 3:11b
Other posts in our Everlasting Way Series:
Learning How to Overcome Emotional Numbness
Are we More Like Batman or Spider-Man
Transforming Awareness: The Power of God’s Love
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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Nonfiction books by the Author:
This collection of devotionals chronicles a heartfelt journey from a life of striving and self-reliance to one of growing surrender and trust in God.
Through personal stories of family struggles, cancer, grief, and unexpected trials, the devotions show that true, unshakeable joy comes not from perfect circumstances, but from the constant, loving presence of Jesus Christ.
It’s an invitation to learn to let go of our burdens and find growing peace in God’s greater story.
Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn’t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God’s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.
For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It’s not just a good idea, it’s vital to our journey as human beings. Rhythms of Joy
Novels by the Author:
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in an old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowingly set off a series of events which uncovers a plot to wipe out a whole family. Hope Remains
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
The war is a series of battles which seem to be unending at times. Thank you for the encouragement and reminder to stay the course and NOT cry uncle. The ultimate victory IS ours because of Christ and you have reminded us to journey on keeping our eyes on Jesus knowing that our ultimate joy IS in Him and Him alone!
Thank you dear sister. You are my most avid commentor. You spur me on to keep writing. 😊
Rob, This one is a grand slam! Your devotions always speak from the inner core of what God is doing and what He has done in your life. Congratulations to God for using you and His vessel!!!
Our eyes must always remain on Him, not our circumstance.
Thanks so much Larry. Your comments keep me writing.
If you’re interested, I’ve compiled 31 of them into a devotional for you and others to enJOY and be encouraged.
Look at the bottom of the post and you’ll find it.
Thanks again,
Rob