Holes. Some are big, some are small; some are filled, some are not; some become clogged, others remain empty. But the biggest hole ever is the one found right in the middle of each and every human heart!

Everyone is born with an insatiable longing for something that we don’t have. It leaves a huge void in our lives, one that we try thousands of ways to fill. Some try addictive substances such as drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. Others try human relationships. The lack of commitment we see in the world speaks loudly of this. People jumping from one relationship to another, running around on their spouse, always searching for that one thing that will fill the hole in their heart. Sadly, they never do.

I was no different. I remember a particular workshop that I had to attend. I had just been hired by the School Board I currently work for, and one of activities we were required to do was to share one of our teenage idols. I named just one, Star Trek, as I am a Trekkie at heart, but in all reality, there were plenty of others! I loved popular music, which, unlike Star Trek provided an unlimited supply of idols. In fact, as a child, I used to write up my own weekly Top 40! Cartoon magazines also were a source of idols. I faithfully devoured them as soon as they hit the newsstands. My list could go on and on, but what I realize now is that my biggest idol was myself. I hungered to gratify my every want and need, I longed to fill the hole in my heart. Sadly, I never found any real satisfaction in my childhood idols.

There is a reason why we are born with this great hole in our hearts. It is because we are not fulfilling what we were created for: to have an intimate relationship with our Maker. “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels – everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” (Col 1:16-17 The Message)

When we find our true purpose in life, our lives change beyond comprehension. When we fall head-over-heals in love with our Lord and Creator, we finally have total peace of mind: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7 NIV). We discover that the real satisfaction in life comes by spending time with Him.

Sadly, many turn their back on God. These people continue to aimlessly wander through their lives, empty and unfulfilled, desperately trying to fill the emptiness on their own and not realizing that they are really filling their lives with nothingness: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen.” (Rom 1:25 NIV)

It is equally sad when those who confess Jesus as Lord of their lives don’t take the time to enter into a relationship with Him. Their holes remain empty, and they continue to secretly try and feed their emptiness with trivialities. Victory is only ours when we begin to hunger for intimacy with our Maker. Hungering for anything else will only suffocate that relationship. Shallow spirituality may seem safe, but it’s far from satisfying. In fact, it’s utterly deceiving!

My friends, if you are tired of feeling empty inside, if you are weary of chasing ghosts, turn to Jesus and invite Him into your lives. Let Him become your friend. He wants to fill your emptiness. He wants you to discover how awesome He really is and how much He loves you. And He is knocking on the doors of your heart (see Rev 3:20). He is the only One who can do so. Discover Him and you will start to live fully, addiction free, with a friend that will knock your socks off.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

“The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit – God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” Has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.” (1 Cor 2:14-16 The Message)

How are you trying to fill your emptiness?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Tabernacle Experiences” devotional series, please click here.)