Welcome to our series that asks questions that everyone has. Questions like, Is there more to life than this? How can I make the most of my life? Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How can I have faith? Why and how do I pray? Why and how should I read the Bible? How does God guide us? Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do? How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? How Can I resist evil? Why and how should I tell others? Does God heal today? What about the Church?
If you are signed up to get our announcements, on Saturday nights we are sending you the Alpha videos that ask and answer these questions. We do this so that you can share the answers with your friends, family, and those you work with.
Living in a home with a wife and three girls has been an awakening for me. I am the youngest of three boys, so I grew up in boy world. I had absolutely no idea what girl world was all about. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s been awesome, and I wouldn’t have changed a moment of it, well – maybe a few moments, but it’s truly been the best years of my life. I am told I will live longer because of it, actually, I’m told a lot of things when I am in girl world.
An example of girl world would be when we watch a movie like a murder mystery. I wasn’t ready for this. I’m watching the movie, and I am zoned in on the storyline. I think we are all zoned in as a family, but I discovered I was wrong. Out of nowhere, one of the girls will say, “I like her shoes.” I’m stunned. My guy brain is focused on the murder that needs to be solved and people are looking at the shoes. The girls around me are focused on so much more. The hair. The clothes. The shoes. The vibe of the movie. Girl world is an incredible world.
The other thing they like to do is shop. And when I say shop, I mean endlessly looking at things, asking me my opinion, and then never buying them. Apparently, doing this for hours is fun. It’s an amazing thing to witness. Sometimes while shopping I am so tired, so bored, I think to myself, ‘There has to be more to life than this.’ And when they ask me how I am doing, I tell them I am rethinking all the decisions I have ever made in life.
In your more serious moments, have you ever wondered that about life? Maybe the thing you thought was going to bring you joy and passion has disappointed you. The car, the job, the marriage, the hobby, the money, or success, whatever it is, you thought it was going to bring you meaning but now it feels flavorless. That happens in life. There is just a reality about life that life can be disappointing, and you can wonder, ‘Is there more to life than this?’ And in that moment when you feel empty, maybe lonely or defeated, it’s common to think you are the only one who feels that way. You think somehow life works for others but not for you. And you think if I had more money, if I lived in another town, if I had more success, if I had a different spouse, if I traveled more, had another job, or if I lived in a different house, I would be happy.
Here is something I want to share with you. It’s a reality about life – ready? Life is never enough. And, I must add, everyone feels that it’s not unique to you. Here is my proof.
Despite all of his money, achievements, and fame, Tom Brady still felt puzzled and empty. After winning the third of seven Super Bowls, he was interviewed by 60 Minutes, and this is what he said.
“A lot of times I think I get very frustrated and introverted, and there are times where I’m not the person that I want to be. Why do I have three Super Bowl rings, and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, “Hey man, this is what is.” Me, I think: “God, it’s gotta be more than this. I mean this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.” Kroft went on to ask Brady, “What’s the answer?” Brady replied, “I wish I knew.” – Tom Brady with Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes
Freddy Mercury from Queen was interviewed, this is what he said.
“You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man. And that is the most bitter type of loneliness, success has brought me world idolization and millions of pounds. But it’s prevented me from having the one thing we all need: A loving, ongoing relationship.” – Freddie Mercury from Queen
Russell Brand, a comedian and actor, was interviewed, this is what he said.
“Drugs and alcohol are not my problem – reality is my problem. Drugs and alcohol are my solution.” – Russell Brand Comedian and Actor
In the Bible, Solomon had everything a person could have, and this is what he concluded.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. NIV Ecclesiastes 1:1-4
Why do so many people who appear to have everything and still wonder, ‘Is there more to life than this?’ Because they realize that something is missing in their soul. They can’t put words to it, but they realize, the things of this world aren’t enough.
The reality of life is life is never enough. And remember, everyone feels that it’s not unique to you. Why is that? Why is life never enough? That brings us to the next big reality of life – ready? Only Jesus can give you what you are looking for.
The reason life is never enough is because when you were created, you were created with a soul. Here’s the thing about your soul, it’s empty. And the only thing that can fill your soul is Jesus. Only Jesus can heal and give rest and give passion to your soul. Nothing in this world can do what Jesus does. Nothing. There is no amount of success, work, achievement, money, ‘me’ days, popularity, sex, alcohol, drugs, control, social media time, or religious activities, that will ever heal and give rest and give passion to your soul. Your soul is the most important thing about your life and only Jesus can fill it.
This is what scripture says, your heart needs to be your number one priority.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. NIV Proverbs 4:23
I want you to think about this. In general, what does everyone try to do to fill their soul? What do they do to find joy and meaning in life? Do they immediately run to Jesus to be in a relationship with Jesus? No, in general, people don’t do that. In general, people do everything but run to Jesus. We try to figure out how to find healing, rest, passion, joy, and meaning without Jesus. We can spend a lifetime looking for anything that will fill our souls – without Jesus. Isn’t that what Tom Brady, Freddy Mercury, and Russell Brand told us?
That’s why Jesus said the following.
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” NIV John 6:35
Jesus is saying, your soul is empty, hungry, and thirsty. Your soul needs healing and rest and passion and meaning. And only I can give you what your soul is looking for.
So really quick, did you know that life is never enough? Have you experienced that yet? Did you know that feeling isn’t unique to you, everyone feels that? Would you agree with Russell Brand that reality is your problem and you are trying to numb reality? What have you done to try to find healing, and rest, and passion for your soul? And is it working? Did you know that Solomon wrote that life is meaningless? Last question, did you know that the only person who can give you what you are looking for is Jesus?
Let’s recap where we have been.
Reality #1. Life is never enough.
Reality #2. Only Jesus can give you what you are looking for.
These are the realities of life. And how you deal with the realities of life will determine your life. You have two choices. You can ignore reality, or you can surrender to reality. What does it look like to ignore reality? You stay away from Jesus and keep trying to fill your soul with anything other than Jesus. That means you can ignore a relationship with Jesus. You can check out of life or the opposite and get real busy. You can believe that you don’t have to make a decision and just try to drift through life. By not making a decision, you are deciding to ignore reality.
What does it look like to surrender to reality? When you realize your soul is empty and you surrender your life to Jesus. You ask Jesus to forgive you. You read the Bible. You pray. It’s in that relationship that you find what you can’t find in this world – that God loves you. It’s in that relationship Jesus changes you to be more loving. That’s why Jesus said ‘I am the way to life.’
Let’s read it.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” NIV John 14:6
Two realities of life. Reality #1. Life is never enough. Reality #2. Only Jesus can give you what you are looking for. You can ignore reality or surrender to it. This means the most important part of your life is your relationship with Jesus.
Paul wrote.
His [God’s] Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. MSG Ephesians 4:30
As you walk in through this hard world, Jesus doesn’t remove the struggle, but He wants to walk with you through the struggle. Jesus forgives us. Jesus empowers us with the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives us His righteousness. Jesus will welcome us into heaven someday.
Couple questions. About reality #1: Life is never enough. Have you wondered if there is more to life than this? If you have, that just means you are normal. That question is your soul telling you, you need Jesus.
About reality #2: Only Jesus can give you what you are looking for. Are you running to Jesus to find that relationship? Do you ask for forgiveness? Do you read the Bible? Do you pray? These things are what it means to be a Christian and walk with Jesus.
Maybe instead of running to Jesus to find a relationship, you are ignoring Jesus. Is it working for you? What is happening in your life? Things like stress, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, peace, joy, love.
Maybe you have been a Christian for many years. What are you doing with reality #2 Only Jesus can give you what you are looking for? Are you walking through the day and ignoring Jesus? Are you asking God for forgiveness? Are you reading the Bible? Are you praying? Are you allowing Jesus to change your life? Do you find it normal to know the right information about the rules but struggle to experience Jesus changing you? Do you want deeper teaching while at the same time struggling to live out the simplest of Jesus’ teachings?
Is there more to life than this? Absolutely yes.
We invite you back next week to the question, How can I make the most of my life?