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Steven Tyler was going through a relationship breakdown. The words ‘there’s a hole in my soul that’s been killing me forever, a place where a garden never grows your love’s like a thorn without a rose.‘ Interesting words reflecting a void in his life that can never be fixed.

He’s looking for the right person to fill the hole in his soul. Now this is a description of emptiness in his life. I read this week a little about the famous tennis player Boris Becker. In his autobiography, he wrote, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide,’ he said, ‘they have everything and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace.” That’s Boris Becker. Now, centuries ago, a young man named Augustine of Hippo had to face up to a time of futility and emptiness in his own life. He lived a fairly wildlife, much to his mother’s displeasure. Finally, he was converted to Christianity. Aged 31 he was ordained a priest. He preached many powerful sermons and eventually was appointed a bishop.

And it was one of his writings named Confessions that made the biggest impact. And this was the prayer. “You stir a man to take pleasure in praising you God, because you’ve made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Good words there. We’re all looking for meaning and purpose in life. It was Thomas Wilder, the famous American playwright and novelist, back in 1937 he wrote – ‘Our Town’, which won a Pulitzer Prize, and one of his characters said, “I don’t care what they say. Everybody knows that something is eternal. It’s not houses or names. It’s not Earth or the stars. Everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal. It’s something way deep down that is eternal in every human being, and it leads me to say that God has designed us for more than just the trivial pursuit of pleasure.”

Seeking satisfaction in the things of this world is like chasing the wind

The problem is, our hearts are like black holes of discontent, and we say ‘I need more’. And yet you and I have been called to live a life of purpose. That means making a connection with God, just as Augustine did. What if you could live a full life of joy and satisfaction knowing that your life was making an impact that would last forever? Well, you can. God has placed that hole in your soul to remind you that you are placed on this Earth for something more. Sadly, some of us struggle for many years and are unable to find Him. We’re not wanting to find Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 in the Old Testament, says he has made everything beautiful in his time. He’s also set eternity in the human heart.

So we’ve got this characteristic that keeps us looking to the spiritual side of life. God has set eternity in the human heart. God has done all things appropriately and well. He has set eternity in the heart of all people so that those who seek him with all their heart will find rest for their soul and receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus. And he’s promised that whosoever will may come to him.

Psalm 42:2 says – “My soul thirsts for God, the living God. Where can I go and meet with God?” CS Lewis said. Our Heavenly Father has provided many delightful things for us along our journey, but He takes great care to see that we do not mistake any of them for home. But there is a longing for home, a call deep in the human spirit for more than what life can provide. The itch that we cannot scratch, if you like, is part of God’s plan.

Ask any committed Christian. You know how they have activated that experience. It is the greatest decision you can ever make to change the course of your life, and you’ll never be the same again.

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Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, today I do acknowledge there’s a hole in my soul that needs fixing, but you are the only one who can adequately do that. Help me to understand that truth. As your word describes, you have sat eternity in the hearts of men, and I’m grateful for that. Amen.