We live in an amazing world, with opportunity to have experiences beyond our great-grandparents' wildest imagination. The rapid development of technology, innovation and enterprise has shaped our lives in an unprecedented way.
The Sky is no Longer the Limit!
The sky is no longer the limit to the ordinary citizen, as demonstrated recently by Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, with their enterprising trips to the edge of space for several minutes. The Space tourism industry is now a reality and the world's first space hotel is to open in 2027. Undoubtedly, the scenery will be 'out of this world!'
As we continue to fill our existence with venturesome activities, can we ignore that gnawing feeling that something is missing? I am not belittling scientific and technological progress in any way, but is there a danger of increasingly seeking sensation and excitement to try to fill the inner void?
Spiritual Vacuum
The pandemic forced us to reorganize our time and social habits. When the activities that define us were removed or restructured, many began to look inwards and recognized a spiritual vacuum.
Blaise Pascal, the renowned French philosopher and scientist, wrote in his collection Pensées:
“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.”
God is Enough
Paralympic swimmer, Jessica Long, who has held 18 world records and has 50 gold medals, asked herself why she still felt empty and unsatisfied despite all her success. She realized only God can satisfy and gave her life to Him in 2013. She would say to other athletes and individuals who have the same feeling of dissatisfaction in life: *"It's never going to be enough, but God is enough."
We are designed for fellowship with our Creator. Our spiritual dimension was created for communion with Him through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
God incarnate said He could satisfy our needs:
I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 6:35
Knowing Peace
St. Augustine of Hippo described those without God's peace as restless in his Confessions:
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
We have an innate longing for intimacy and peace with God. Temporal objects will never fill that "God-shaped vacuum" deep within. The cravings of our hearts will only be stilled when we respond to God's whispers of eternal love.
* Article by W. Dawson https://bit.ly/3jcnOza