By Jeff Brink, October 1, 2024

We live in a humanistic society where self-meaning is often promoted as the way to satisfaction, peace, and happiness. Mantras like “you do you,” “find your own happiness,” and “make your own way” are commonplace. This is especially true in the marketplace, where we are told that we control our own destinies and ultimately own our success. This quest for self-meaning and temporal satisfaction is not only counter-productive but pushes us further away from God and ultimate true success: spending eternity with God in heaven.

People have always longed for two things: their world to flourish and their souls to be satisfied.

But the truth is that soulful peace (or Shalom) that all humans crave can only come from God. Not from closing another deal, remodeling your house, or taking another exotic vacation. These things bring fleeting happiness, at best. God made us to love Him, worship Him, and be in a relationship with Him – this is how we fill that God-shaped void in our souls. The problem is we are all sinners and have no standing (on our own) to be in a relationship with a Sovereign, Holy, and Righteous God, much less to spend eternity with Him. Thankfully, God so loved the world that he graciously sacrificed His only Son to atone for our sins and provide us a way – THE WAY. Only when God becomes the focus as the substitute savior are we free from self and in communion with God.

As Jesus told his disciples in John 14: 1-6, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus is THE ONLY WAY to eternity with God in heaven and true peace (Shalom) on earth. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, believed, and repented, you have that eternal, soulful connection. Your name is written in the Book of Life. You are in God’s network of believers. Talk about having an awesome connection!

Now, I challenge you to think differently about your network and put it to good use. Knowing God is an eternal connection, and He wants you to get others connected to Him and expand His network – the Kingdom of God. Will you make some introductions? You know THE WAY. 

Look for people at work or in your network where you can share the good news of Jesus Christ – The Way, the truth, and the life. It may start with planting gospel seeds in work conversations or involve boldly sharing the Gospel and your testimony with a friend. Nothing is more important than making soulful connections with eternal impact. Shalom!