Emptiness

"...That they went far from Me And walked after emptiness and became empty (Jeremiah 2:5)?"

The message of Jeremiah is not popular, but the situations and descriptions are both prevalent and relevant. I've been camped out in Jeremiah 2 for the past couple of weeks, letting the Holy Spirit soak my mind with the text. I used it this morning when I addressed Silverdale Baptist Academy's High School Chapel.

I used several examples of running after emptiness and becoming empty (both in Israel's history and today). Next week I'll be hitting 2:13 when I address them again, but I wondered if you'd help me out with the following question:

What are some good examples of running after emptiness and becoming empty?

Comment below.

I think it will help me with the broken wells illustration next week.k k

15 comments:

Luca said...: I used Michael Phelps, but saw this great blog post by C.J. Mahaney:
http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Michael-Phelpse28099s-Bong.aspx; February 4, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Anonymous said...: 401k baby!
My IRA; February 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Anonymous said...: aThis will be real quick cuz Amanda is at sewing class, both girls have ear infections, and I am keeping Cambria away from the construction zone that is our play room remodel.

This older Andrew Peterson song comes to mind.

lyrics:
http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/andrew_peterson_lyrics_8347/carried_along_lyrics_27956/the_chasing_song_lyrics_306004.html

video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bPZL0ROC_E; February 5, 2009 at 7:31 AM
Anonymous said...: Running after popularity and "coolness" in high school is the first thing that comes to mind. How many of us even have contact with more than three friends after high school?

The party lifestyle in college is another one. It seems that many are just taking it for granted that college students are going to do stupid stuff in college, and yet what does it produce? Emptiness.

Postmodern culture where we can have and follow many "truths" to nowhere would be yet another one.

Pursuit of a high gpa so you can get a scholarship to the "right" university, so you can get the "right" Masters degree so you can get the "right" job where you will make the "right" amount of money so you can marry the "right" girl or guy, so you can eventually retire and throw sea shells into the sea during your retirement is another one (with thanks to John Piper - Don't Waste Your Life); February 9, 2009 at 4:30 AM
Anonymous said...: How about the idea that a boyfriend or girlfried will bring satisfaction, contentment or self esteem instead of being content with where God has you and realizing that who you are in Him is the only thing that really matters.; February 9, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Anonymous said...: Yeah highschool "dating" relationships are a huge one.

Trying to be popular in school.

"Getting by" with your faith. i.e., going to church and saying "Jesus" in sunday school so people think you're a good christian.; February 9, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Running after emptiness = fulfilling human expectations (yours, your parents, your schools, your churches, etc.) I guess that could also be explained by pursuing a life of people-pleasing before God-pleasing. Sometimes it is easier to do the expected of you instead of seeking God's plan for your life.; February 9, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Anonymous said...: i agree with Bufkin. I think people settle for the wide and easy road and don't consider what God wants them to do.; February 9, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Anonymous said...: I think people chase things that they think will make them full but it isnt until they realize that it actually makes them empty that they see that Christ is the only thing that can make them full.; February 9, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Anonymous said...: it's like that book "the old man and the sea". the guy spends several days at sea trying to bring in this huge fish he's hooked but in the end, some sharks come and eat it all and he's left with nothing but the skeleton. the story ends with him walking back to his lonely shack to sleep alone after spending his life going after that one big fish (ultimately, his goal was money and fame); February 9, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Lauren Elizabeth said...: Wow... If you really want examples, just go work where I work... sooo many of my coworkers chase after "love" and acceptance and what they think will make them happy, yet claim to be following Christ. I think that maybe the problem lies in the fact that we (myself DEFINITELY included) try to plan our lives based on what we think will make us happy. It's like a toddler looking into an above ground pool (like the ones you buy at Wally-world)- they most likely can't see over the side to know if it's full or not, but if they've been in the water and had fun before, they want back in. They don't learn how empty and unsatisfying it is until they're in it. We can't see over the pool wall of all those things we chase, but God can, and He knows how empty they are and how much we could get hurt if we jump right in. If we would listen, we'd spare ourselves quite a bit of heartache, and the long walk back down the road to nowhere to get back on God's trail.; February 9, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Anonymous said...: SEX
Pornography
Power
Fame
Recognition
Candy; February 9, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Luca said...: another relevant example (Chris Brown):http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20257828,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines; February 10, 2009 at 5:13 AM
pinkeerach said...: i have to disagree with the phelps blog post. i doubt he was "searching" for anything in that bong. and i think it's a little far fetched to postulate that he was. one incident doesn't indicate he's searching for satisfaction in pot. wish i could post a comment to his blog.

as for emptiness, well striving for power/status at work or in your personal life can lead to emptiness, but so can striving for perfection (since we'll never be perfect in this life).; February 10, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Luca said...: Thanks for all of your comments!

MadEthelFlint, the purpose of the Micahel Phelps shout out was the emptiness of his fame, success, and financial security. The thing that sparked by attention was the following portion of the article:

"It was Augustine who said that the soul is restless until it finds its rest in God. So true. Only God can satisfy the soul. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ provides forgiveness of sin, and therefore it is here in this gospel that we find rest for our restless souls.

Study the unflattering picture of Michael Phelps to be reminded of the deceitfulness of sin and the superficiality of fame and money. But also study the picture to be reminded of the message of Christ and him crucified for restless sinners like you, and me, and Michael Phelps."

This is where I'll be going tomorrow when I speak on the satisfaction of the living waters.; February 10, 2009 at 3:26 PM

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Emptiness

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