I'll Be Happy When...

By: Kristen L. McNulty

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We don't have to look very far to see people who are searching for something. Actually pulling out a mirror could do that for most people. Let's face it: no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all looking for something more.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say I'll be happy when I get a promotion or I'll be happy when I have more in my bank account or I'll be happy when I have a significant other or I'll be happy when ____________ (fill in the blank).

As a result we've become a Starbuck drinking, ipod listening, suv driving, credit card buying generation and we're still not happy. So then we convince ourselves that if only our lives were different, we'd be happy. So we buy lottery tickets and hope for our fifteen minutes of fame and when that doesn't pan out, we still hope because we've convinced ourselves that if only we were rich and famous, then we'd be content.

I hate to break it to you, but that's not the way it works. In a recent interview Jim Carrey, who is one of Hollywood's highest paid actors, said: "I wish everyone could get rich and famous and everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that's not the answer." Let me repeat that: "I wish everyone could get rich and famous and everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that's not the answer."

This is coming from someone who lives in a California mansion, who has made more than $25 million for shooting just one film (Bruce Almighty) and who in 2003 was named Hollywood's top-paid actors. Most people would think Jim Carrey would be on top of the world, but he honestly admits that the money, the fame, and even having everything you could dream of is not the answer.
So what is the answer? Well I can tell you that it doesn't come from anything here. Nothing the world can offer us can satisfy the soul and make us feel entirely whole. So what is the answer? Jesus.

Jesus is the only One who can complete us (Col. 2:10). Jesus is the only One who can heal us, from both the inside and out (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus is the only One who can give us lasting joy (John 16:22). Jesus is the only One who can give us peace, even in the midst of troubling times (Phil. 4:7). Jesus is the answer to what we are looking for.

And we are looking. In their chart topping song "Meant To Live" Switchfoot sings:

"We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life.
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?"


Have we lost ourselves? Have you lost yourself? In the search for something more have you completely missed out on the answer that is right in front of you? His name is Jesus. He came to this earth and experienced life- both the highs and the lows for thirty-three years. Then He died the most brutal death known to man- all so that you wouldn't have to search anymore.

So today wherever you are, stop looking to the world for answers and start looking towards the One who holds the key to both this life and the One afterwards. His name is Jesus and He's the same One who said: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks received; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8)

We were meant to live for so much more- have we lost ourselves?

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This devotional was aired as a part of the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.