Made For More

Hey everyone! I know, I know. I’ve been gone for quite awhile, and I really apologize for that. It became a crazy time of life between finishing up my senior year of high school and all of this pandemic business. But I’m back! And I will try to update more regularly.

Now, on to our topic of discussion.

As previously stated, I just finished my senior year of high school. I just turned 19 years old last month, and, to the world, I’m in the prime of life right now. The teen years are a weird time. You are in this stage of growing up where you’re not quite an adult, but you’re definitely not a kid anymore. One thing I’ve noticed, though, about most of the people my age is that a lot of them are doing there best to have a good time. Their going out to parties, drinking, smoking, having sex. All of the things that makes the teen years worthwhile, right?

Well, this is a message to my generation and all of the teenagers to come: you were made for more than that.

Trust me, I get it. I get the desire to fit in, make friends, and experience your “youth” before it’s gone. But can we be real? You’re not content. You’re not satisfied with the “drugs, sex, and rock and roll” culture you’re partaking in. You were never made to find contentment or happiness there. It’ll never be enough.

But don’t take just my word for it. Take King Solomon’s word, too. King Solomon was one of, if not the wealthiest king to ever live. He had it all. Money, power, material possessions. But we find in the book of Ecclesiastes the very words of King Solomon. And what does he say about all of this?

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

This guy had it all. He had gold, luxurious homes, endless wine and partying, and dozens of concubines. But even with all of the wine, the sex, and the money, he finds himself saying it’s all worthless. None of it made him happy. He continues on.

“So I hated life, because the work that I had done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2: 17

Have you ever wondered why there’s a silent pandemic of depression among youth? Why young teenagers with there whole lives ahead of them hate their existence? This is why. Because by enlarge, people today are living to please themselves. They chase after what feels good. But friends, we were made for more than that. We were made to worship. We were made to live for the glory of God. The one true God. The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The God who sent His son, Jesus, into this world to take the punishment we so rightfully deserved. He designed us to be in a relationship with Him. And when you try to fill that God-sized hole in your heart with the pleasures of this world, you’re left empty.

I’ve experienced that emptiness. I’ve chased the world instead of the God who created it. Heck, I still do sometimes. I’m a sinner. It’s my nature.

But the love and fulfillment of God is the only thing that will complete you. I know that’s hard, and believe me I struggle with that big time. But I’ve also experienced the joy that God gives when I’m in relationship with Him.

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalms 16:11

Joy in His presence is unlike anything this world can provide. This world is fading away, along with its temporary happiness. In the end it all fades away. Like a wave tossed in the ocean. There one day, gone the next. That’s why John warns us against loving the world.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

Here’s the point. Living for the world is not going to make you happy. In fact, it’ll make you pretty miserable. Living for God is the only thing that brings real joy.

So, to my generation, to all generations, don’t let the world tell you happiness is found in fleeting things. Not when you have access to a joy that’s eternal. Jesus bought you with His blood. And now you’re free to live a truly fulfilling life. Because you were made in His image. You were made for more.

“Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2