One of the greatest tragedies of our culture today is thinking we can find the answer by “following our heart.” We think we can pursue the wisdom of men and “light within us” and find meaning and purpose.
Alan Noble in his book On Getting Out of Bed put it this way:
Whatever challenges we face can be solved. That’s society’s promise. Whatever problem you have, someone has developed a method for overcoming it. A pill. A treatment. A mindset. Which means if you don’t overcome your problems, it’s your own fault. You really should have tried harder. You should have shown more initiative. You should have chosen the right technique. Because the normal life is a pleasant life for those who merit it. (p.8)
Alan goes on to say he believed all that and he/it was wrong.
Strangely enough, the Bible speaks of that, and in of all books, Revelation. Revelation 8:12 speaks of light becoming dark- a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars. Taken in context that verse is speaking of the futility and emptiness of man’s wisdom and “spirituality” to enlighten as an utter failure. We foolishly think pursuing more of man’s wisdom; more of man’s ways; more of man’s insights will lead us to enlightenment. It is a picture of people going about living their lives in darkness without the ability to see what is true and right and good. You know…follow your heart.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news: it is an empty and dead end road.
But I do like to be the bearer of GOOD NEWS! Proverbs 8:34-36 tells us to pursue God’s wisdom not the world’s. The one who pursues His wisdom finds life. Instead of “follow your heart” it should be “pursue God’s heart.” He won’t steer you wrong.
God’s wisdom should be the only one we pursue, Bill. May we all wise up!
Blessings!
Agree Martha. We should all become “wise guys.”
It is difficult at times to look at what is perceived as success and failure while living in the midst of it and not drink the Kool-aid. The problem is we are all infinitely complex individuals living an infinitely complex life having infinitely complex experiences. There is really only one shoe that will fit all scenarios. That shoe is Christ. What may work for some from worldly advice may not work for others. I will say find Jesus and learn to trust Him, (note I didn’t say find religion or find a church or find a program). Sure those things can sometimes help point to Jesus, but at the end of the day, Jesus is right in front of you. Just call out to Him. Nothing can be more life changing that that.
If you had said find religion or a church or a program I would have strongly disagreed with you Ryan. But now I have to agree! 🙂
I always talk about making sure that God is your source for everything and not your resource. If you are not careful you can say that God is your source but in reality, you are turning to everything else for your source then trying to figure out why God is not blessing or guiding your path. The only way to make God your source for everything, find in the Bible where whatever you need to find an answer for is discussed, read it, study it. If your decision is in conflict with what is written in the Bible, God is right and your wrong. You are using something or someone else as a source instead of God, and turning God into a resource. Flip that back around and let God be the source, things may not always make sense to you, however God’s path will always be the correct way.
That is a great distinction Gail! Source vs resource. And as you state, we need to conform to God’s Word not let it conform to our way of thinking. Well said and great comment!
Such good, sound, wise advice—the answer to all of life’s mysteries and dilemmas, right there in God’s holy Word. I am so thankful for the Bible!
I’ll certainly stand with you on that Cheryl. I am thankful for the life-giving words found in the Bible.