Q:
I've achieved almost everything I ever wanted in life, but as I look back I realize it's still left me empty inside, and I don't know why. They say money can't buy happiness, and I know now that it's true, but where can I find it?
A:
I’m thankful for your honesty, and I hope your letter will cause many to pause and think about the path they’re following in life.
Why do I say this? Sadly, most people end up pursuing things that will never bring them true happiness and peace. If you ask most people what they want out of life, they’ll answer with one word: happiness. But if you then ask how they hope to achieve it, they’ll probably give you a list of things: money, success, pleasure, entertainment, relationships, and so forth.
These aren’t necessarily wrong, of course, in the right place, but they will never completely fill the empty place in our hearts. Why is this? The reason is because God put that empty place in our lives — and only He can fill it. Everything else ends up deceiving us. Jesus warned, “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13).
So far, you’ve left God out of your life — but why do it any longer? God loves you; He loves you so much that His Son gave His life for you. Begin a new life today, by asking Jesus Christ to come into your life, and then learning to follow Him every day. When you do, you’ll discover the same truth the Psalmist did: “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11, KJV).