WHAT'S MISSING

 

                                                  WHAT’S MISSING?

                                                (For the local newspaper)

  Have you ever eaten to the point of being full, but still feel hungry? Have you tackled every enterprise or adventure possible and still feel unsatisfied?  Have you been pursuing pleasure, and yet you realize you have been chasing an insatiable phantom?  Obviously something is missing?

  There was a King named Solomon whose wealth was vast. The Bible says that during his reign silver was no more valuable than stones. He withheld no pleasure from himself, yet in the end he said, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” He discovered that getting whatever he wanted could not bring lasting satisfaction, just frustration, especially when he realized that all would be lost at death, making his existence seemingly pointless and empty. What was he missing?

  There was a rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked Him what good thing he had to do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him that only God is Good, but keep the commandments. When he asked Him which ones, Jesus said, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

  He told Jesus that he had done these all his life, but he knew that something was still missing?  Answering, Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor and you shall have treasure in Heaven, and come follow Me.”

 There was still something in his heart that was a barrier between him and God, and he was honestly aware of that.

  You see, getting all you want does not mean that you are going to be satisfied let alone guaranteed Heaven, and deep down you know it. Even trying the best we can before God still doesn't cut it.  Something is still missing. What is missing in every person is that intimate relationship with God our Creator. It is He Who created you, and He is the Only One Who can fill that void. What separates us from Him are our sins. God is Holy, and sin cannot dwell with Him. Our sins must be cleansed, and the only cleansing for sin is the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who paid for those sins on a cross. He then rose from the dead and thus reconciled us to God. When we turn to Jesus and believe in Him, that barrier of our sin between us and God our Heavenly Father is removed, thereby He will then take up residence in us and fill that void which no one, nor anything else can. Jesus said that whoever comes to Him will never hunger, and whoever believes in Him will never thirst. He is the Finishing Piece of life’s puzzle, and He is the only One Who completes us and perfectly satisfies. Is Jesus missing from your life? Maybe it is time you made your peace with God.