Now what
Have you ever asked yourself this question, “Now what?” It’s a question we ask ourselves when we feel the rug has been pulled from beneath us. When we are in a season where we lose jobs, relationships, income, and even lose the comfort we have in familiar surroundings, we can find ourselves asking this same question,“Now what?” But it is not only when we feel we have lost something that we ask ourselves “Now what?”
When we have bought the dream house, when we succeeded at obtaining the dream career, when we are married to our dream person, when our passport is riddled with stamps from various countries, and when we have reservations at world-renown restaurants, it may appear to others as if we are at the top of the world. However, like Solomon, even when according to the world’s standards we have “made it,” our life can feel empty and futile and we can ask ourselves the same question, “Now What?!”
It is good to enjoy life and the good gifts and pleasurable experiences that are given to us from God. However, have you ever felt the subtle sting of an achievement or experience that is not quite as satisfying as you thought it would be?
When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:17-12) and God made him the wisest man in the world (1 Kings 4:29-34). King Solomon had all the riches of the world - and Kings and leaders from other nations came to Jerusalem to learn from him. But with all his practical insight on life, Solomon failed to heed his own advice, and he began a downward spiral. But when Solomon took stock of his life, it was with an attitude of humility and repentance. Solomon hoped to spare his readers of the emptiness of life, reminding us that everything apart from God is empty, hollow and meaningless. (Bible Commentary)
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was my reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
I know, I know, Ecclesiastes isn’t exactly the most positive, happy-go-lucky kind of reading, but it certainly provides a wise approach to life. God speaks to us through the book of Ecclesiastes to encourage us to keep Him at the center of our life— remain in awe of Him, and to keep His commandments, no matter what our life circumstances.
The Good News is this: God desires to satisfy the deep longings of the human heart. Through Jesus Christ, our lives can have meaning and purpose and His love can fill the emptiness of every human heart!
You see, we are hardwired for purpose. I believe this is at the heart of every “Now What” question.
So, what should we do when we find ourselves disillusioned by our loses and unsatisfied and empty even after we achieved our dreams and are left asking ourselves, “Now What?!”:
Entrust ourselves to God. In Psalm 37:5 it says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” God loves when we come to our senses and display confidence in who He is rather than trying to find fulfillment all on our own; willing every desire of ours “into existence.” He has a better way and that way is to look and depend on God for our purpose and trust His plan for our lives.
Ask God: “What is the next right step?” All throughout Scripture, we see God providing guidance for His people— He even provides war direction for His people’s success! God loves when we come reverently and boldly to Him. And God promises us that He will reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. It is in God’s heart to guide us in order for us to live a purpose-filled life! When we don’t “hear” from God, we should continue daily meditating on the Word of God to better understand the heart of God and to discover the words He has already spoken to us across time.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” — Psalm 32:8
Then Take Action. Our actions are an outpouring of what we believe. For most of us, just doing the next right thing - like submitting a job application, joining a life group, reaching out to that friend, or cutting something out of our lives, takes immense courage and trust in God. We can obey God now by doing what’s right in front of us today!
It is a wonderful gift that God does not allow the pleasures of the earth to fulfill us. He uses the disappointments in our life, though painful, to lift our eyes to Him. It’s wildly uncomfortable and discombobulating - maybe even angering at times. But, the cure to dissatisfaction is to focus on God and dedicate ourselves for His purpose for our life.
May our hearts’ yearning for something this world cannot offer only launch us into a more fervent pursuit of Christ in our day-to-day. May we see the blessing God offers us in our disenchantment as an opportunity to ponder our true meaning and purpose in this life and beyond!
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of ALL mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13-14