The Sounds of Silence: Emptiness

The fullness of life … means very little to most people. They have “had it” with life. Their hopes are dashed and their dreams are broken.

These words by John Powell in his book, Fully Human Fully Alive, describe so well the pain of living without energy, passion, and purpose.

Have you ever had the feeling that there ought to be more, the sense that something is missing - only you didn’t know what? We think we are doing all the right things but none of it seems to matter. I think that’s what Solomon was saying in Ecclesiastes:

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure…
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

King Solomon had it all - pleasure, projects, and (quite literally) wealth, wine, women, and song to his heart’s content. Only he doesn’t sound content in the least!

Sometimes, there’s a specific reason for feeling vacant (such as cashing in on a dream, failure, or even a temporary reaction to success.) But even more common is the struggle that comes from an undefined sense of restlessness and boredom.

In an article called Ground Down or Polished Up, Dr. John C. Maxwell, recounts the following:

A few years ago a friend was telling me about stopping at a junkyard to get a part for his car …  "I get a few of my cars from wrecks," the man said.  "But most of them end up here because they are just worn out." That story made me realize the same is true with people… Life seems to grow increasingly difficult, and none of us escapes the daily grind. 

What a perfect example of the weariness that exhausts us, not only physically but worse - mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Comparing ourselves to others who seem to be enjoying dynamic adventures, thriving in rewarding careers, and making meaningful contributions, we may be tempted to consider our own lives ineffective and lackluster.

It isn’t that something is wrong so much as that something is missing.

Bored senseless by the pleasant monotony of a life that “works” but not much else, we may seek escape through entertainment - books, movies, even daydreams that transport us to another time, another place - anywhere far away from where we are. We may get involved in church work, community service, hobbies, and classes.

If none of that quite fills the vacant spot, it at least makes it tolerable, keeps us sane (almost anyway), and enables us to carry on the dull routines. We convincingly tell each other, “I’m fine,” and (most of the time) manage to fool even ourselves.

Until we can’t anymore.

Here is the point where many good people, desperate to feel something, slowly but surely, open the door to anything that promises excitement and, for a while, find relief. Until - slowly but surely - the things that initially brought excitement only enslave and bring further pain. The only way to freedom is to give them up and return to the dull existence from which they ran in the first place.

The problem is …

that “dull existence from which they ran in the first place” is never going to be a permanent solution.

Isn’t that the vicious cycle of all kinds of destructive behaviors (affairs, substance abuse, and all other kinds of addictions)? For all the pretty lies and promises the devil has held out to “fill us” we come up even emptier than before.

Jesus told the truth when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” - but that’s not all He had to say:

I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Whether we find ourselves in an empty place or are helping someone else who’s struggling with a sense of vacancy, the good news is that this is a fight that we can win because of Jesus!

… (Jesus) came to bring people to life. It was a key skill He used with nearly everyone He met ... Always keep your eye fixed on bringing more life to the routines rather than the routines bringing more emptiness to you.” The People Skills of Jesus, William Beausay

For whatever reason and whenever it is that people go thru empty zones, we have to be there to help them feel like living again. The first step in helping people choose life and find out how to live abundantly is to remember:

"We are souls with bodies, not merely bodies with souls."  William V. Rauscher

When we forget that, we end up like those spoken of in this scripture:

"They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel … And he gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalms 106:13,15 

Our lives can be filled to the brink with possessions, pleasures, and pastimes; our bank accounts and social calendars can be overflowing. But if our souls are lean and our hearts are hungry, there will always be an emptiness within us.

I love what Solomon, after all of his searching came up with:

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Coming to the end of ourselves, we at last encounter the Source of all that satisfies.

As God alone manages to do what no one and nothing else has been able to do, we find nourishment for our hungry souls and answers to all of the empty questions.

We learn to be content with nothing LESS than the presence of God.

Wishing you all the fullness of His love until next time, Kim