He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
Ultimately, there are no true atheists. Those who claim atheism may be unwilling to acknowledge this about themselves, but God has given to every person a heavy burden. In the deep recesses of their being, they know that God is—and it is the very “is-ness” of God which creates a dilemma in men’s and women’s hearts and minds.
God created the world, and He made it beautiful in all of its perfection. God also made mankind to know Him, to commune with Him, to walk with Him in the garden, and to enjoy all the benefits of His companionship. But man turned his back on the Designer, and as a result the perception of eternity that has been implanted within us now largely tyrannizes and tests us.
People naturally seek to repress a knowledge of God (Romans 1:18-19), but a knowledge of God is inescapable. God has created us for a divine purpose—to know and worship Him—and unless we discover and fulfill that purpose, we will never be fully satisfied with anything else offered along life’s journey. No relationship with a child, parent, spouse, lover, or friend can fulfill this great longing, nor can any experience, any possession, or any achievement. This is the burden that God has laid on humanity: we will be forever dissatisfied until we come to know the only thing that can bear the weight of our eternity—namely, to know Him and live in fellowship with Him.
You and I, who are creatures of time, were made for eternity. We were made for God’s presence. It should therefore be no surprise to us that when we turn away from Him, our lives are marked by frustration and confusion. When we choose to live in the dark, we lose our sight. The day that we finally acknowledge this is a great day. The burden of being without God will weigh you down until you realize there has to be an answer somewhere, in someone else. And, of course, there is.
There are many things in this life that are beautiful, and we are free to enjoy them in accordance with the way God designed us to. But there is nothing in this life that is ultimate, and we will not be free until we not only acknowledge this intellectually but live it out in our experience. Is there something that you are determined to have, or to get, in your life because you think it will make you truly alive and fulfilled? What is it that you feel you could not live, or could not be happy, without? Be careful not to allow something good to become your god. Instead, place your ultimate hopes on the shoulders of the only one who is strong enough to bear them: the Eternal One.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 86
Give ear to my cry, Eternal Word,
and answer me,
for I am in need of You.
Awaken new life in me, as I yearn
to do your will;
dispel the ignorance of my ways,
as I put my trust in You.
You are the Beloved; be gracious to me,
Heart of my heart,
for with You would I walk all day.
My soul is uplifted, as I abandon
myself into your hands.
For You are kind and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all
who call upon You.
Give ear to my prayer, Compassionate One;
listen to my heartfelt plea.
In the time of trouble, I dare to
call upon You,
You hear the cry of those
in need.
No one is like You, O Mighty One,
all of creation belongs to You.
All the nations are under your authority
and, one day,
they will acknowledge and reverence
You;
they will give glory to your Name.
For You are great; we are awed by the
wonders of your world,
You alone are the Most High.
Teach me Your ways, Mighty Counselor,
that I may walk in truth;
write my name upon your heart.
I give You thanks, O Beloved,
with my whole being;
Oh, that I might radiate your Light
for ever!
Great is your steadfast Love toward
those who call upon You;
You deliver their souls from
the depths of despair.
O Beloved, numerous fears rise up
within me;
like an army they seek to
overwhelm me, and
they would keep me in darkness.
Yet You are merciful and gracious,
ready to forgive and
abounding in steadfast love
and faithfulness.
Be present to me and receive my prayer;
imbue me with strength, and
help me to release each fear.
Pour forth your Light into my soul,
that all that is hidden in
darkness
may come forth into awareness.
For You, O Beloved, are my Redeemer
and my Comforter.
Nan C. Merrill
Psalms for Praying
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