Thomas Merton says, "The abyss of interior solitude can never be satisfied with any created thing." While this truth is so powerful, there is also a strong epidemic of the "I gotta have it & then I'll be ________ (happy, cool, popular, trendy, content, etc.)" philosophy contaminating the hearts in minds of so many as well, regardless of the product never actually meeting that belief for any great length of time. It reminds me of those flashy internet ads that falsely declare you to be the lucky winner of some grand prize - 'Just click here to redeem your $1000!' But then what? Just fill out your basic information. Then a little bit more about you. Then your credit card information. Then complete steps 1-9 & purchase these various products... Hopefully long before you even get to this point, you have realized it was all a scam. Now some obscure website has your personal information, sends you countless emails every week, & you still have no prize. You're left feeling empty & cheated. Many fall prey to the belief that just 1 more step is all it will take to make them happy. In a media-obsessed & consumerism-praised area of the world, materialism is greatly lusted after & highly valued. Inflation seems to only be a social game of singling out the wealthiest, & concern rarely shifts from one's own self to others. When I see this running rampant on tabloid headlines, television shows, commercials, internet ads, & in magazines, I am reminded of just how upside down the Kingdom of Heaven really is. I am reminded of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I am reminded of the 10 commandments, which often the breaking of is practically encouraged.

I am reminded of the way the Lord prioritizes. Matt 6:19 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well..."

The hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus speaks well when it reveals:


"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."


My heart turns a a dry eye & expresses a loss of appetite for the things of this world when I wake up & realize what I have already been given. Paul writes it to the Ephesians like this:

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^b]">[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^c]">[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^d]">[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^e]">[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

The best thing in life is eternal communion with Life itself - Jesus Christ. The best things in life aren't things.

Selah