The Search for Purpose in Life

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You can’t shake the feeling and wish you could. It’s unruly and unsettling. The feeling bosses your mind and controls your heart. You find yourself searching for satisfaction… contentment… fulfillment. Essentially, for purpose in life.

Yet it seems so elusive.

If only you can make it to the next payday, things will change.

If only you can figure out how to win him over, it will be okay.

If only you can get the raise, all will be better.

If you could just find the right medicine, the issue will even out.

Yet those things take place and you still find yourself needing, no, wanting more. You can’t put a finger on it and nothing makes the feeling go away permanently. But “more” seems to be the answer.

I’ve traveled that cavernous search for more in my lifetime. Scraping for a reason for the feeling of always desiring. Trying to understand why contentment and fulfillment seem to be only temporary. Why, oh, why, do I think “more” will satisfy? Because I’ve tried more in all different forms…perhaps you can relate.

The More We Try

Where do we look for more? We might hit the latest in drugs or alcohol. We search for another woman to love or man to hold. We discover more deals and buy more stuff. We might manage to purchase the nicer house with  more living space or the bigger car with more luxury features. And when we don’t have the money for more, we pack our schedules with more activities, run more Google searches, or post more posts or pics to social media. We want more friends, more fans or more followers. We load more apps and seek more entertainment. We work longer, play less, and try harder. The truth is that sometimes there is nothing wrong with the “more”  we want, except that we continually want more of the “more.”

And there’s a reason for that.

You see, we were created for more. 

Make no mistake- you are acting from human instinct. It is in your blood. An innate desire to get more, be more, do more. You were created with a special feature; you are designed to want more.

The More We Need

Now hang with me for a sec, let me explain… When God created human flesh, he created human instinct; and included in that instinct is the need for a relationship with him. Our spirit was created for relationship with God and when Adam and Eve chose to sin, our relationship with God became broken. This brokenness created a vacancy–one that can only be filled through the Creator of the universe.

Our constant desire for more can only be fulfilled when relationship is restored with the One who created that desire. Until we renew our relationship with God… until we passionately pursue a relationship with him… we will always search for more. and more. And more.

In John 10, Jesus explains his own purpose on this earth. He unfolds a parable that the everyday man of his time could understand- a story of sheep and their environment. A story of the “more” he gives when we stop searching for more and start seeking Him.

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. John 10:9-11 NLT

Jesus is the “more” we search for.

 

Where do you find yourself searching today?

Rachel