What’s Next?

The heart of man is often left unsatisfied. [By the way, before this goes to far: when I say ‘man’ I don’t mean ‘man’. I mean male, female, boy, girl, child. I know it’s a generalized term but its after 10pm and I’m tired. I’ll conserve whatever keystrokes I can.] Back to the matter: dissatisfaction. I don’t quite know what it takes to truly be satisfied. At 34 years old I realize that in perspective I’m still a young buck, but I feel I’ve earned somewhat of a right to say I know things. Not many things, because oddly as I get older I learn that I know less about the things I was once so confident of. Funny how life and maturity work sometimes. So yes, to be dissatisfied. I’ve learned that ‘more money’ does nothing to wax or wane the throb of dissatisfaction. More money is an unwelcome pleasantry that isn’t all that pleasant. And yet, my humble reader, I bet you have either believed this once or know someone who believed in it. Money will never satisfy and I thank God for that.

I didn’t set out to write this entire post about satisfaction really. I don’t know why I really sat down here, in this moment. But I felt it necessary to begin plugging away at the keys. It sometimes feels like the words are pent up in my soul and the only way they can come out is through these holy digits of mine. When I sat down, the question that came to mind immediately was: “What Next?”. Initially, I said to myself how bland that is. What a generic title. I don’t care, really, what’s next because I’m still consumed with “What’s Now?”. In a way, I feel that title could be a bit of a jest on the side of the precious Holy Spirit, reminding me and you to just relax and take a breath. Do not ask what’s next, but ask: what now?

What now Lord? What thing in my life must I cut back and limit? What person in my world right now needs an extra touch of effort and intention? Where can I serve right now? What is happening in the depths of my heart now? Holy Spirit, would you spotlight the blind spots and teach me to overcome my lack of vision?

It is not until we are fully satisfied and in embrace with our ‘now’ that we can even in the slightest begin to accurately project for our ‘what next’. I know firsthand, I would much rather focus on the next thing than the current thing. The current thing, these days, is old news. In a world where the media cycles and tech cycles are turning at a pace faster than I can even put on my clothes, how we could we ever NOT be thinking about what’s next? From the moment we wake up, to the when we lay down: the things of this life are daring you to desire the latest, greatest. The current thing (in more actuality the ‘old’ thing) is old news, dirty rags, useless in the worlds eyes, and creates more hindrances than opportunity. The pitch of the world is that the new, shiny, next best, latest greatest will FINALLY fix your problems! I’m not sure if it’s the coffee I’m drinking or if this is just hitting me right in the ticker: DON’T FOR ONE SECOND BELIEVE THE LIE. Very, very, very few things can fix us. Sure, some of these things, these lovely gadgets may be able to convince us of feeling more efficient or more productive….but at what cost? It’s not just the transaction of trading the old for the new, it’s the mentality and mindset that is hidden in the fine print. (Disclaimer: I am in no way against purchasing or acquiring new things, I’m purely painting a picture of what can creep in to our hearts when we are not satisfied with what we have. One of the most respected and energetic figures of this mindset is Dave Ramsey (financial peace guru). He’s lead and encouraged millions out of financial debt with a similar and much more convincing teaching. His entire ministry is based on being able to pay cash for something, and if you don’t have the cash you don’t purchase it. Simple stuff really, but yet we have millions of men and women (often times including yours truly) who can’t follow these principles.

Why? Why can’t we follow these? Because of the same reason we want the next iPhone. Or our car starts running oddly and oh hey…I could just go buy a new one. I’m freakishly amazing at convincing myself to buy that new thing but I’m depressingly poor at sticking it out with the old. Here’s my landing point: What’s happening in a man’s heart is expressing itself through his actions and decisions (oh…and when I say ‘man’ I mean mankind; ladies included). So if you find yourself in any of the words I’ve just written, ask yourself this one telling and powerful question: How is my heart today?

I’m working on it, but I’ve been asking myself that a lot more lately…and crazy things have been happening: I’ve somehow spent fewer of my hard earned dollars on Starbucks and energy drinks. Correlation? I think so.

God speed my friends. Remember that there is an ancient path and those that walk in it, will find rest for their souls. Dare I say, satisfaction for our souls?

-A Wild Man