Why You Always Feel Like Something Is Missing

Most of us have felt it at some point. That quiet, persistent sense that something is missing. If I could just have this new thing, or land this opportunity, or reach this next season, then I'd finally be where I want to be. Maybe you've asked yourself whether you made a mistake taking a certain job or going in a certain direction. Maybe you've wondered if the problem is just you, if you're the broken part in the equation. To some extent, all of us can relate to these questions.

From Credentials to Calling

The apostle Paul knew this tension well. He trusted in his lineage, his education, and his religion, and it all fell short. Then he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and received his true calling: an apostle to the Gentiles. Listen to the difference in how Paul talks about what was and who he now is. In Romans 1:1, the very first words of the letter, he writes, "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." That is how he introduces himself. Not who he was, but who he is and what he is about: identity and purpose.

In Acts 20:24, he takes it even further: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Paul no longer counted any of his former credentials as valuable or precious. The only thing that mattered was finishing the course and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus, testifying to the gospel.

You Were Created for Mission

So what if the reason this question keeps coming up is because something truly is missing from how you're living? Here is the truth: you don't feel this way because you're missing comfort. You don't feel this way because you need more stuff, or the right person, or a different situation. You feel this way because you were created for mission. We keep trying to fix a purpose problem with temporary solutions that miss the mark. They just don't scratch the itch. You're not meant to sit and simmer. You're not meant to be consumed by the worries of this world, because we are actually citizens of another world.

The reason you can't shake that restless feeling is because you were made to answer a call greater than yourself.

Your Greatest Call: Knowing God Deeply

So if that's the case, what is this call? The first and most important thing is this: your greatest call is to know God deeply and intimately. John 17:3 says, "And this is the way to have eternal life, to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth."

We've talked in previous weeks about engaging the soul as part of the engine, about devotional time, sitting with the Lord in the Word and a journal, and letting God speak to you. We've talked about studying the Word and digging in deep, about how God's Word will speak and change you. Through that, we interact with God in His love letter to us. We've talked about joining a group and encouraging each other to draw close to the Lord and tend that strong relationship with Him. We've talked about inviting God in to heal the broken places within us.

But let me tell you, it's not all about one day when you're in heaven. That's not what this relationship is only about. We spend time with Him now. We let Him become our best friend now. He is present now. This morning I'm reading Psalm 139, and He knows where I'm at. He knows where I sit. He knows the words that come out of my mouth before they even come out. He knows everything about me. That's not a "one day" reality. That's a right now reality.

Quality Time with the Father

My wife, Becky, her love language is quality time. And I have a tendency, if I'm just being honest, to stay on the go, to be busy, to run, run, run. But she needs that time when we stop, look at each other, and talk. With the weather getting nicer, she loves to walk. As we're walking the dog, we're talking about life and all the things. I've had a hard time lately wanting to go for a walk, but because I know it's important, I do it. I know it fuels our love. It gives her something in our relationship, so I do it. I want her to know how much I love her. I want to know her.

This is the same when it comes to our time with the Lord. I stop. I open the Word and a journal. I do these things with the Lord every day because it's worth it, because I want to know Him intimately. I want to sit quiet, learn to listen, and just be comfortable with my Lord. And when you do that, something incredible happens. You'll go from just reading pages and writing to knowing God is in the room with you and He's speaking to you, and it's going to change your life.

So that's the first thing. What is God's will for my life? God's will for your life is to know Him intimately. That is the very first and most important thing.

Live on Mission with Him

The second part of this call is to live on mission with Him. Matthew 28:18-20 says, "Jesus came and told His disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'"

He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega, the one and only glorious Creator of the universe, God of it all. And He says, "All authority is Mine." You know, I think in my home, in my little house, that authority is mine. So when we talk about cleaning up the kitchen, my kids have to listen because I have authority at home. How much more does Jesus, whose authority encompasses the entire universe, deserve our attention? We need to pay attention to what He says for us to do and to be.

The Adventure of Disciple-Making

You want fulfillment? Then get on board with what God tells you to do. As you're going, as you're living out your life, He wants you to make disciples of everyone you can. And then when you are making these disciples, you're going to baptize them, teach them, and help them grow in their knowledge of Him. It's just such a joy to be on that adventure with Him.

And know this: as you're doing that, He is with you. God promises even more for the believer who is walking in this mission with Him. Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere, in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Not only is He with you, not only has He given you a mission and told you what you're to be about, but on top of those glorious blessings, He gives us His Holy Spirit to live inside of us and give us the power to do what He's called us to do. You get to be a part of this adventure. The question was never really about what's missing. It was always about who you were made for and what you were made to do.