When my two sons were fourteen and ten years old, my wife and I promised them a trip to King’s Island amusement park as part of our summer vacation. My younger son Phil could hardly wait. He was so anxious to get there that nothing else mattered. He kept insisting, “Dad, this year, I’m going to ride, ‘The Beast’”. ‘The Beast’ was at that time a new roller coaster that was advertised as one of the most terrifying in the world.
Finally the long-awaited day came and the weather was perfect. We arrived early in the morning and that entire day Phil had the time of his life. He rode nearly every ride he was eligible for. He gobbled down a lot of their fast food offerings. Then about 4:30 in the afternoon he looked at me and said, “Okay, dad. I’m ready to ride, ‘The Beast’. Are you?” And I reluctantly agreed to go along.
We got on that terrifying coaster together, second car from the front. It chugged up the first hill – which seemed a mile high, paused for a brief second at the peak and suddenly we were barreling downhill at supersonic speed. Before we could catch our breath it caromed to the top of the second hill. As we screamed down that second hill, I glanced over at Phil and he was clutching on for dear life. His hair was streaked straight back, his eyes were bulging out and he shouted joyfully, “Dad! This is great!!!. I was gasping for air and thought, ‘Oh yeah? That’s’ easy for you to say”!
It was all over in a minute and a half. (Praise God!) When we got off Phil exclaimed, “Dad! That was REALLY fun! Let’s do it again!” So we raced around and got in line a second time and rode again. We rode it a third and fourth time. I don’t know how many times we rode ‘The beast’ that day, but Phil was exuberant and it was fun to see him so happy.
Eventually the predetermined time came for us to leave and head toward home. As Phil walked to the car a dramatic transformation took place in his attitude. His shoulders drooped, his countenance fell; he pouted and shuffled along behind us and fought back tears. Why? He’d just had the time of his life- yet he was miserable. The reason? All the fun was over. Everything he’d looked forward to had ended. His hopes were all on the other side of the fence.
The prophet Isaiah asked, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isa 55:2)
In this Christmas season, when we are tempted to think things are going to make us happy, let’s remember that everything the world has to offer us is temporary. It may bring momentary pleasure but it will never satisfy the deepest needs of the soul. You can have fun but when it’s over you still feel empty, disillusioned and unfulfilled.
Many people, starving for a sense of purpose in life have indulged in pleasure, accumulated riches, consumed drugs and alcohol, consulted with psychics, dabbled in mystical religions, pursued all sorts of thrilling experiences but have come up empty. Nothing permanently satisfies the gnawing hunger within because as King Solomon explained, “God has placed eternity in the hearts of men.”
Isaiah concluded that there is only one thing that can fill the spiritual void that is in every heart and that is a restored relationship with our eternal Creator. “….eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare”.
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
When that spiritual hunger is fulfilled, the temporary pleasures of this world are even more enjoyable because we’re not looking for them to provide our ultimate hope. Jesus promised, “I am come that they may have life and have it to the full”. (John 10:10)
It is my prayer that this Christmas season you will, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.’ (Isa. 55:6-7)
