Where Else Can We Go?

“You only had one tv channel when you were a kid?” my sister and I asked my dad in disbelief.

“Yeah,” he answered. “Your mom was a rich kid. She had two channels.”

One channel of TV! Can you imagine? It still blows my mind.  Now, we don’t even have channels. Instead, we choose from a smorgasbord of streaming services each of which offers hundreds of shows and movies to watch from the beginning any time we want, often without commercial interruption. We’re so used to choices that we can hardly conceive not having any options at all. For the most part, these choices are a good thing. However, because we’re so conditioned to the luxury of choice, we may wrongly assume that this luxury extends to every area of our lives.

One area where we want to choose from a buffet of options is where to find life–joy, fulfillment, happiness. For this reason, endless false religions promise eternal life/happiness/prosperity to adherents willing to jump through the right hoops. It’s not just false religions, however. In seasons of discouragement, weariness, or stress, we believers tend to gravitate back to the buffet line, assuming life and strength might be found in any number of choices. Here are a few potential life-givers we might consider.

Vacation?

I’m writing this during prime vacation season, when most people are either looking forward to or recovering from a blissful time away from home seeing the sights and enjoying family time. Whatever your destination this summer, whether Yellowstone, Paris, or Grandma’s house, you’re probably looking forward to a getaway of some sort. Since God commanded His people to rest regularly, we know that He is not opposed to rest; in fact, it’s necessary. We sporadically need to disconnect from the stress of real life to be reenergized by some time away. However, we cannot give vacation too much power. Retreats and getaways cannot give life. They may reenergize us for the battle, but they are merely a means to an end, not an end of themselves. Enjoy your break, but don’t mistake it for an option of where you can find true life. It will disappoint every time.

Me-time?

Golf, manicures, woodworking, reading, gardening, exercising—we all have activities that allow us to relax and get our minds off the problems of the day. And, most of the time, we do these activities solo because we just need a little time to ourselves. As with vacations, these hobbies are typically good things; however, they too can go awry if we try to use them as means of life. When I start to believe that my downtime with a cup of coffee and a novel in the afternoon will somehow give me life so that I can make it to the end of the day, I’ve bought the lie that there are options for where to look for life. If you think that your time on the lake with a rod and reel or day at the spa being treated like a duchess will somehow infuse you with life, you’ve followed the crowd, not the Savior.

My Screen?

Sometimes we try to escape reality through our hobbies; other times, we try to escape through the screen. Whether it’s binge-watching news, scrolling the night away on social media, or letting auto-play take you from episode to episode of your favorite series, we’re all guilty of looking for life in a source that does much more to drain us of life than to give it. However, we’ve allowed the enemy to deceive us into thinking that somehow our devices can give us what our hearts are desperately searching for. Yet, like vacations, and hobbies, screens simply are not a viable option.

My Own Efforts?

Finally, if you’re feeling drained of life, burned out, and like your candle is nothing more than a puddle of melted wax, maybe you don’t turn to a hobby, screen, or retreat. Instead, you grit your teeth, dig in your heels, and cowboy up. You know things aren’t going to get better unless you make them better. So, you think positive, go for a run, meditate a little each morning, and generally just put mind over matter to push through. Yet, like the other pseudo-options, the self-help choice comes up empty as well.

 Where Else Can We Go?

When Jesus asked His disciples if they were going to follow the crowd of deserters, Peter gave the only answer he could:

“Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Peter reminds us that we don’t have a menu of options to select from. Life is found in just one source: the very Word of God. Unlike our dream vacation, favorite “me-time” activities, indulgent escapist proclivities, or herculean efforts at self-improvement, the Word of God does not disappoint. Like rain on fertile ground, it will yield results. We must not shop around for other options. None exist.

The Word Revives:

 My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. (Ps. 119:25, NASB)

Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word. (Psa 119: 154 NASB)

The Word Strengthens

I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. (Psa 119:28)

The Word Restores

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psa 19:7 NASB95)

The Word Enlightens

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psa 19:8 NASB95)

I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. (Psa 119:99)

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. (Psa 119: 105)

The Word Equips

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2Ti 3:16-17)

The Word IS Life

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …  In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (Jhn 1:1, 4)

We like our options because they lull us into thinking that we’re not missing out. We fear that something better is out there. However, we never have to wonder that with God’s Word. We’re not limited. We simply cannot and will not find life and true joy anywhere but the Lord. So may we cling to the Word as we muse with Peter, “Where else can we go?”