Life is a struggle. The struggle is real. We all have a God-shaped vacuum. Most people fill it with everything but God.
Struggle (verb) – make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.
Ever feel like you are up against a wall? The International Psychology Clinic stated the following as the top 10 most common struggles people have:
- Health Crisis
- Workplace Issues
- Emptiness
- Friendship Issues
- Failure
- Financial Crisis
- Career Pressures
- Unfair Treatment
- Inner Peace
- Mental Health Issues
I believe the third one down on the list is key and related to where this message is headed – Empty. Because of this, life is a struggle and it is real.
There was a boy and his mom walking down the sidewalk next to a row of shops. They were all having sidewalk sales. As they passed by, the boy noticed a large man standing on a set of scales weighing himself. The scale read Zero. The boy, confused, brought this to his mom’s attention. She obviously realized the scale was broken. After he paused, he said to his mom, “Look Mom, that man is empty on the inside.”
All people are seeking to be fulfilled in this life. But the emptiness leads to many struggles listed above. In addition, it’s estimated that around 21 million Americans have a drug or alcohol addiction (struggle). Let me set the stage with a quote:
“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”
Blaise Pascal
The Hole in Our Heart Causes Struggles
So the hole in our heart. Our heart is our purpose, our contentment, soul, core, spirit or inner being. When this is not filled, we are empty. As we know not even money can fulfill someone. This leads us back to the common struggles in which people have in their everyday life.
There is a progression. When we don’t have a personal relationship with God we try to fill it with other relationships. We were created that way. When we aren’t fulfilled by relationships with others, we try to cover the hurt and pain and fill the gap with stuff – some good (hobbies and things we enjoy, etc.) and some bad (drugs, alcohol and other destructive habits). But none of it will ever satisfy because the root of the issue is not being addressed.
The Struggle is Real
Eventually issues begin to show, addictions to people and addictions to things. When there aren’t healthy relationships to fill the hole, then people begin to use others. Relationships then become romanticized and sexualized and people actually become addicted to relationships (people) in an abusive way, using people in all kinds of ways.
When these fixes don’t work, and they never do, then the hurts and pains are covered or buried by drug and alcohol abuse and/or other addictions. This is a weak attempt at making the pain and hurt go away. Or it is an attempt by the abuser to drown their sorrows and bad judgement. Everyone becomes a victim to their emptiness.
Acts 17:22-27
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.
25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Challenge of the Day: Life is a struggle and it is real. IF you are feeling empty, know that this emptiness can only be filled by a personal relationship with God (the Heavenly Father) through His son Jesus Christ. The more you walk (your awareness and dependence) with Jesus in your every-day-walkin’-around-kind-of-life the more you will feel fulfilled. So be it!
