...but seriously, where's my green grass?

My previous post was a plug for a book by Stephen Altrogge, The Greener Grass Conspiracy, in which he makes the case against the empty promises this world offers. Get the new iPad, and you'll be brushed up on the world's newest technology. Invest in this new company, for your nest egg will be secure. Watch this movie filled with all manner of perversion and your hormones will be raging. Drink this beer and you'll have a good time. Use this make-up, ladies, for you'll have countless men running after you. Use this body spray, men, and the ladies will flock to you. Even though partial satisfaction is given in these situations and more, we're still left empty every time. The fix we desire becomes stronger every time we give in. And though paradise is waved in front of us, we find ourselves in a barren field disheartened, empty, and fooled.

Why do we continue to fall into the same traps again and again? Why must we go on believing the lies and giving into the temptations waved in front of us?

We desperately desire true fulfillment, ultimate satisfaction, infinite happiness; if this wasn't true, we wouldn't have the habits we possess or the addictions we're gripped by. Some cannot stop gambling, because their desire for wealth holds them in captivity to a love of money. Others desires to work extremely long hours and sacrifice family in order to have a name for themselves in the corporate world. Some have spent their careers dedicated to helping people dealing with these kinds of issues while inwardly they are wasting away, too. Down the spiral we're going, wondering when this madness will end. When will everything be okay? Can I have that relief and security here? and now?

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant... - Isaiah 55:1-3

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:6-9

 Oh, how these words echo that of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

What you and I need, far above any other necessity, is a right relationship with God through His Son Jesus. "Why," you ask? That's only for the religious folk who want to make themselves feel better about their lives, who need some assurance to get them through life to the grave--some say. What does Jesus have to do with my happiness and being satisfied? I'd argue: everything, although the focus isn't on you. When Christ died on the cross, he paved the only way for men and women to experience the very God who created them and the universe; the very God in whom we will all have to stand before at a future time to give account for the life we lived here on Earth.

You and I stand in desperate need of forgiveness, as we have disobeyed a holy, just God who must punish iniquity & sin and who will by no means clear the guilty. God who has been dishonored among the nations stands and offers you eternal life and reconciliation through His Son as a free gift. You need this good news, this Gospel sent from heaven, otherwise you'll continue to find and believe the lies of this world. When this relationship with God is restored, all else falls in place. Upon rebirth by the Holy Spirit, you recognize your happiness is found in more of God and less of you. You must recognize your sinfulness as pursuing happiness on your own terms while you place God to the side or outright denying His existence. How foolish is it to find happiness in creation rather than Creator (this speaks to me loudly)?!

True abundance is offered from God the Son, Jesus, and that rest for your soul is available now. Look to Christ, turn from your sins and place your trust in Him as Lord. The green grass is found in the pages of the Bible, where Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.