“Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it”
I Corinthians 12:27

Meaningless Temptations
May 8, 2020 by Pastor Bob Huisman

We are all tempted by something.  We all seek to find some pleasure or relief from some pain through something that we could identify as meaningless.  Sometimes we seek to find a sense of our own self worth in something that we could identify as meaningless.  And the crazy thing is that we keep doing it. We keep trying to find meaning in the meaningless.

COVID-19 has removed many of the common opportunities of the pursuit of pleasure, or the avoidance of pain, or the search for significance from us.  Our choices have been extremely limited.  For some, it seems that life has fallen apart.

When we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that without God’s amazing grace we as human beings tend to be foolish in our pursuits even when we know they are foolish.  It is no wonder that we do.  It seems like there is not any other choice.

“Meaningless!  Meaningless!” says the Teacher.  “Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

We pursue meaning in the meaningless because according to the author of Ecclesiastes, everything is meaningless.  All the options in life are dead-end streets.

Irish writer, Oscar Wilde once said, “In this world, there are only two tragedies.  One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

The author of Ecclesiastes got everything he wanted.  After getting it all, he was wise enough to recognize that nothing in this world satisfies the deepest desires of the human heart and soul.
Known or unknown to us, our deepest desire is for God.

In fact, the Scripture teaches us, that it is possible to gain the whole world and forfeit your soul (Matthew 16:26).  The pursuit of more always ends up delivering less.  More power.  More fame.  More of anything will always be less.  Unless…
Unless we stop searching for significance in the creation and we start searching for significance in the Creator.

If we only have the creation, we end up with emptiness.  If we have a relationship with the Creator, then all the creation comes to life!

The author of Ecclesiastes put it this way,
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Jesus put it this way, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Life has meaning.  Ultimate meaning.  Eternal meaning.  Full of meaning.

Life has meaning when our hearts are connected to the Creator of Life.  Jesus is our connection.

Trust in Him and you are connected to the Creator.
Believe in Him and you reconciled with your heavenly Father.
Thank Him for His forgiveness and all things will be made new.

Resist the temptation of that which is meaningless.

Life has meaning in Christ Jesus, the one who restores our relationship with the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Prayer
Our Father in heaven, open our eyes.
Let us see You above all else.
Expose our counterfeits.  Reveal your truth.
In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.