What In the World Are You Doing?
What Lies Beneath Your Daily Routine?
The Quest
What are you doing? It's a simple question, but one that carries more weight than you might think. I've asked it countless times over the years and noticed something intriguing: people are often on endless quests.
"Quest?" you might wonder. "What kinds of quests?"
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. And that's the crux of the problem - I don't think they know either. This issue afflicts everyone, including Christians. It reminds me of something Henry David Thoreau wrote in his 1854 book Walden: "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation."
Thoreau's words cut to the heart of a profound truth: many of us struggle to find a sense of purpose and deeper meaning in life. Think about it. Don't we all want to know why we're here?
The Quests
When we fail to discover that purpose, we're left with an unrelenting inner void, a sense of emptiness that gnaws at us. You'd think the solution would be obvious, but instead, people often try to fill that void with various "quests."
Psychologists categorized these quests into recognized patterns of behavior when people are attempting to fill that deep-seated emptiness, that desire for something significant.
When these patterns, or “quests” I will call them, become all-consuming, they can disrupt lives and overshadow other responsibilities.
Here are some signs that you or someone you know might be on a “quest” to fill that innermost emptiness or embrace a meaningful purpose to your life:
1. Thrill-seeking and extreme experiences, constantly chasing adrenaline rushes.
2. Relentless pursuit of achievements and status, prioritizing career advancement or obsessively accumulating wealth and material possessions.
3. Escapism and distraction through excessive gaming, social media use, compulsive shopping, or an extreme party lifestyle.
4. Serial relationships or dating, jumping from one partner to another to avoid feeling empty.
5. Constant motion and change, frequently switching jobs, moving cities, starting and abandoning hobbies, or traveling without a deeper purpose.
6. Perfectionism and control, manifesting as obsessive self-improvement, rigid fitness or diet regimens, and attempts to control every aspect of life.
7. Seeking external validation through social media, competitive comparisons, approval-seeking, and basing self-worth on performance.
8. Collecting experiences by obsessively checking off bucket list items, constantly pursuing new experiences, or engaging in FOMO-driven activities.
These behaviors aren't inherently problematic in moderation. However, they signal a deeper search for meaning and purpose when they become all-consuming.
The Vanity of Life Without Purpose
This lack of purpose is far more prevalent than you might think. It afflicts Christians and non-Christians alike. Thoreau was not the only one or the first to believe that many have failed to fill that innermost emptiness. Solomon wrote this in Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, 14 (NASB):
"'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher, 'Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.' What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? ... I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind."
The word "vanity" (Hebel in Hebrew) suggests emptiness or meaninglessness, much like Thoreau's "quiet desperation." Yes, Solomon, like Thoreau, understands the seemingly futile nature of humans searching for something unrelated to a deeper meaning or purpose.
Even King David recognizes life's fleeting, short-lived nature, the meaningless pursuits of worldly recognition and wealth, as he writes in Psalm 39:5-6 (NASB):
4“Lord, let me know my end, And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. 5 Behold, You have made my days like hand widths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Certainly all mankind standing is a mere breath. Selah
6 Certainly every person walks around as a fleeting shadow; They certainly make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You."
David echoes Thoreau's thoughts about living without connecting to a deeper purpose and meaning. The prophet Isaiah makes the same arguments as above in Isaiah 55:2 (NASB):
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance."
This passage wonders why people spend their lives in pursuits that don't truly satisfy, similar to Thoreau's observation about lives of quiet desperation.
The Answer to Your Quests: Connection
The Bible says this feeling of being unsatisfied isn't just about fitting in with others – or filling our lives with temporal activities seeking thrills or relationships whose excitement fades shortly after the initial excitement or rush of adrenaline. It's about our spiritual needs not being met.
While Thoreau was writing about life in general, the Bible takes it a step further. The Bible explains that when we feel this way—empty and wanting more—our souls are telling us we need God.
Take a closer look at the passage from King David in Psalm 39. In verse seven, it says,
7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You."
In this verse, King David first recognizes our anxious waiting and desire for a meaningful connection. He follows that recognition with the solution to our anxious waiting. He says, “...My hope is in You.”
Yes, King David, who has everything a person could want: power, recognition, wealth, and prestige, recognizes that our innermost longing for meaning is found only in connection with God!
The prophet Isaiah makes the same point. Note he says,
“...Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance."
The command to listen to God is based on God’s expectation that we connect with Him! And the result of that connection is “... delight yourself in abundance.” Although we don’t have room to go into detail here, you should note that “abundance” in this context implies more than just physical needs.
This idea that God wants us to be connected is expressed in several places in Scripture;
Psalm 139:1-3
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."
God's deep, personal knowledge of each individual emphasizes His personal interest in each of us and, thus, His desire for a personal relationship. Otherwise, why would He bother to know the intimate details of our life?
Revelation 3:20
"Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me."
Eating with someone in the Apostles' days was more than just feeding someone. It signified a relationship, an acceptance, and an acknowledgment of your mutual connection. In this verse, Jesus personally invites us to have a relationship with Him.
Likewise, the Scripture recognizes and teaches that everyone has an innate desire to connect with God. Solomon points this out here:
Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of eternity into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
The “...sense of eternity into their minds...” is that deep, innermost desire to have a real meaning in life that often goes unrecognized. It suggests we have a natural curiosity and desire to connect with something beyond ourselves.
King David expresses it passionately in Psalm 63:1
"O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
King David’s intense emotions in this passage reveal a deep yearning for God, which he likens to physical thirst. It is not a coincidence that he compares our yearning to the need for water, which is essential for life. By extension, we cannot “live” without filling that internal need for a relationship with God.
Even Christians Can Be Disconnected
Even some Christians experience this same void or sense of emptiness. How is that possible, you ask? Can you lose your salvation? The short answer is, “No!” And I will talk about that in a future blog.
This disconnection as a Christian happens when people are saved but fail to grow beyond the childlike faith that saved them. Their relationship with God is clouded by distractions that keep their minds from being transformed and renewed as fully as God intended.
Here are just a few scriptures that show you can be saved but not “connected” to God in a way He wants, that will fill that need for purpose in your life.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3:
"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh."
Paul expresses disappointment that the Corinthians have not grown spiritually and remain immature. That immaturity limits their sense of purpose and direction.
2 Peter 1:5-9 speaks of qualities believers should be developing, warning:
"For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."
This implies that failure to grow results in spiritual blindness and forgetfulness of their gift of salvation. It does not say they are not saved. Instead, the result of their blindness and forgetfulness is a lack of spiritual maturity necessary to drive purpose.
Ephesians 4:14-15 contrasts spiritual immaturity with growth:
"So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine...Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
They are saved but not fully connected to God in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to work effectively in their lives. As a result, they miss out on the fruits of the spirit and may continue to feel a certain void or emptiness.
Unfortunately, whether unbelievers or Christians, many people fail to realize that to fill that deep-seated emptiness that drives our futile quests, we must be connected beyond seeing salvation as fire insurance!
Recognizing the Need for Connection
So, how do we get connected? If you are not a Christian, the first step is accepting Christ's work on the cross to forgive your sins (John 3:16) and making Jesus your Lord. If that’s you, Stop! Read this Scripture, and talk to a Christian friend or pastor. Then come back, reread this blog, and continue from here.
If you are already a Christian or after you become a Christian, these steps can help you get and stay fully connected to God.
1. The Gap Between Human and Divine Understanding
We must recognize and understand the difference between God’s thinking and ours. (Check out “What Are You Thinking”, Kindle) Recognizing this is the first step to getting on the right track. Trust me!
There have been times when I thought I had all the answers, only to realize later how little I actually knew. It's a humbling experience but an essential step in our spiritual journey. The Bible reminds us of this reality in Isaiah 55:8-9:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
This passage pointedly illustrates the vast difference between our understanding and God's wisdom. It's not meant to discourage us but to inspire awe and motivate us to seek a deeper connection with our Creator.
If you want a deeper look at how to align our thinking with God’s, check out my e-book, “What Are You Thinking?” on Amazon Kindle.
2. Embracing Our Need for Divine Guidance
Recognizing this gap is the first step toward true wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
This verse doesn't suggest we abandon reason but approach life humbly, acknowledging that our perspective is limited. When we do this, we open ourselves to God's guidance, which can lead us down paths beyond what we can imagine.
3. Renewing Our Thinking
So, how do we practically align our thoughts with God's? Here are some steps I've found helpful in my own journey:
1. Cultivate a Habit of Prayer
Prayer isn't just about asking for things; it's about building a relationship. James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you." Through regular, honest communication with God, we begin to understand His heart better.
4. Immerse Yourself in Scripture
The Bible is our guidebook for understanding God's character and will. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
By regularly studying Scripture, we train our minds to think more like God thinks.
5. Practice Humility
Humility is key to learning and growth.
Proverbs 11:2 reminds us, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Approaching life with a teachable spirit opens us up to God's lessons.
6. Seek Wise Counsel
Surrounding ourselves with godly mentors and friends can provide valuable insights.
Proverbs 15:22 says,
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed." These relationships can offer different perspectives and help us see blind spots in our thinking.
7. Listen for the Holy Spirit's Guidance
Jesus promised us a helper in John 14:26:
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit's promptings is crucial in aligning our thoughts with God's.
The Transformative Power of Connection
As we take these steps, our attitudes, understanding, and, ultimately, our actions begin to shift. We start to see the world through a lens of love, grace, and purpose. Romans 12:2 describes this transformation:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
This renewal isn't just about gaining knowledge; it's about a fundamental change in how we perceive and interact with the world around us.
Start Your Journey Today
That goes for both believers and non-believers. Whether ending the vain quests to fill your life with meaning, to find Christ as Lord and Savior, or committing to growing in spiritual maturity, make sure you are fully connected to God. Start here:
a. Begin by evaluating where you are. Ask yourself if you are still on a quest, seeking a basic connection with Christ, or satisfied with just the milk of the word. Review the above patterns to ensure you are not still on a quest. Be realistic, as it is just you and God who know. Are you fully connected?
b. Set aside 10 minutes for prayer and reflection or commit to a daily Bible reading plan. Commit to using this time to follow the steps above. Increase the time as your maturity increases. Remember, this is a journey, not a destination. Each small step brings us closer to understanding God's heart and living out His purpose for our lives.
c. As you embark on this journey, keep Jeremiah 29:13 close to your heart: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." God is not hiding from us; He's eagerly waiting for us to turn to Him. Make sure we seek Him daily.
d. Let's commit to this path of growth and transformation together. Your journey to "Getting God" starts with a single step of humility and openness. Are you ready to take that step today?
Finding our true purpose within our connection to God can radically transform our lives. Make sure you are not on an endless quest! Start Getting God!
Note: Check out my eBook on Amazon for a deeper dive into the specific area of aligning ourselves with God’s thinking. You can find it here. “What Are You Thinking?”