Even the world is NEVER enough

“The world says: ‘You have needs -- satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more.’ This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky

  So when is “enough” really enough? Less than a year ago, I did a funeral for an 18 year old who’d overdosed on heroin. While it was a tragic death, most were shocked because of her age, but not shocked because she had so much to lose and was leaving it all behind. Over the years, I’ve done funerals for several suicide victims. Again, most are shocked by the tragedy yet not because the individual took their own life. Some were seeking to escape consequences of bad choices they’d made. Others had recently broken up with someone or were unemployed. In other words, from the world’s perspective, they were at the bottom and they didn’t particularly have anything to live for.

  But is there any real difference though between them and Oscar-winning actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman? Seemingly, Hoffman had it all – all that we’re continually told has value and meaning. His net worth is estimated to be $30 million yet he died from an apparent heroin overdose. And he’s not some fluke. To learn of a “star” who’s not addicted to alcohol or drugs seems like it’s the exception. We’re not shocked when we learn some powerful politician wasn’t satisfied with the position or power, and had to have more, so they took kickbacks or had sexual liaisons. The same is true in sports. The recent revelations about Ryan Braun or Alex Rodriguez were sad, yet sadly, not shocking. Enough is never enough.

  It’s easy to conclude that it’s just the rich and famous, but is it? How many content, joy-filled people do you know? How many Christians do you know who are content and joy-filled? That begs the question: Is the Bible really true? Can we really trust Jesus? After all Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). But is it? Do we believe that?

  While most of us aren’t foolish enough to believe joy, contentment and meaning are found in a needle, we do erroneously believe that if we just have _________, then we’ll be satisfied. But we won’t!

  Why are the statistics for divorce among Christians nearly as high as those who don’t know the Lord? It’s the erroneous belief that if I was just out of this marriage or had someone who really loved me, then I’d have  joy, contentment and meaning. How many Christians think if they just had more money, a better job, a nicer house, better kids, a newer car, better health, etc., etc., etc…then they’d be satisfied. But joy, contentment and meaning are not circumstancial. Some of the most miserable people you’ll ever meet live in Florida. Yet, I meet believers all the time who think that if they just go on that dream vacation or fantastic getaway, then they’ll have joy, contentment and meaning…at least temporarily. Ironically, many of them go and are miserable in the midst of Paradise. Or, they’re addicted to pleasure, relaxation and recreation much like Philip Seymour Hoffman was to heroin. They need another “fix” to have joy, contentment and meaning. This may shock you but God did not design us to live for the weekend. Or, to find joy, contentment and meaning temporarily only when we’re vacationing in some exotic place…or, in some new relationship or a new house or with that new whatever. Most of us are as foolish as Adam and Eve who believed Satan’s lie that there had to be something more than God and what He’d already provided. Satan’s lie hasn’t changed.

  Let me encourage you to list out everything, and yes, I mean everything that you feel makes you unhappy. Don’t leave an option out. Think of everything you’ve bemoaned over the course of the past week that you wish you had or didn’t have. For many, a day might be enough.

  So if you had all those things, if ALL of them were “fixed” would you have joy, contentment and meaning? No, not unless you first had a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Augustine was right, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

  True power is not found in having our external circumstances changed. True power is having joy, contentment and meaning in the midst of whatever our circumstances are. Most of us live under the circumstances. True power is found when we really believe and plug into Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” That’s why Paul could write, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” 

  Remember those famous words from Albert Einstein, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Too many of us are “insane.” We think if I just live there, go there, have that, or even that person – then I’ll have joy, contentment and meaning. It’s trying to find a “fix” in something, anything. When the only “fix” that will truly satisfy is found in Jesus Christ. Most people are shaking their heads at the tragedy of Philip Seymour Hoffman, yet most of them are just as foolish. Though they’re not looking for satisfaction in a vial of heroin, they’re seeking to find it in something else. And when it doesn’t work, they usually just up the dose.

  Are you satisfied? Is your life filled with joy and contentment? My friend, Jesus is the only person who can satisfy your soul. Stop looking for your “fix” somewhere else and come to Jesus. His promise is true, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Will you do that?