German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer said that
things like happiness, peace, pleasure, and satisfaction in life are time-bound
and temporary because once the desired objective is fulfilled, we long for
something else to satisfy our longing. Schopenhauer, a naturalist, saw the futility
of seeking happiness in material things.
The repeated experience of dissatisfaction (or the
emptiness that comes after achieving the desired objective) eventually leads to
addiction of one kind or the other. Most alcoholic and drug addicts start
picking up such habits when they are relatively young and ambitious about life
in this world. When life happens, all they are left with is the temporary
deception of the substance promising them a lasting happiness.
But if we are willing to pause for a while and think
about life; all is not lost. As
believers in a God who created us in his own image, there is hope for a lasting
satisfaction, joy and peace. God spoke to his people through prophet Isaiah
promising them a lasting peace and fulfilment in life if only they would listen
to his words.
He said; "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you
what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had
paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your
righteousness like the waves of the sea" (Isaiah 48:17-18).
God knows what is best for us.
God knows which way is for us.
God wants to give a life full of peace; peace like a
river.
God wants to give us a right kind of life;
righteousness like the waves of the sea. Whatever we do turns out to be right
and thus comes this never ending peace.
Unfortunately, we don't like God telling us what is
best for us. We want to go on our own ways seeking peace and right things for
us.
If we could honestly evaluate how we are living, we
would simply trust God and receive the best from him. Even when we don't know
which way to go, God would direct our path to the right direction and we would
arrive at the best destination prepared for us in advance by this loving God
who cares for us so much that he gave his only begotten son to die for our
sins.
Paul said, "if God did not spare his son, how
much more will he give us all things" (Rom. 8:32)!
So, beloved, stop trying to be happy in the world and
listen to what God has said in his word. Follow his instructions and he will
always fulfill his promises.
