Have you believed something that was not true?

Maybe someone shared a shocking story with you about a mutual friend and you believed it. Later you learned that the story was false.

Perhaps you believed an advertisement for a product, but when you bought the product it didn't live up to your expectations.

Sometimes you believe something that is not true.

Writer Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998) wrote that the biggest lie of the modern world is the myth of self-fulfillment. The biggest lie our culture tells you to believe is that if you just have _____________ (success, more money, better relationships, a new job, lose a few lbs., etc.) then you will be happy.

The myth of self-fulfillment leads to a restless life because you are always searching for that one person or thing missing from your life. And your journey will continue to the grave because nothing in this life will fill the void in your life. There will always be something or someone else to pursue.

In addition, believing the myth of self-fulfillment means you will use other people to accomplish your own personal goals. Others become a means to your own private end. In other words, valuing others based on what they can offer you as you pursue what is missing in your life.

The Gospel confronts the myth of self-fulfillment and offers the only lasting alternative.

Scripture teaches that you were created to know the God the Father. Knowing God only happens as a result of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross applied to you by the Holy Spirit. 

We read in Ecclesiastes that the Triune God placed "eternity into man's heart" (Ecc. 3.11). There is an eternal void in the heart of every man, woman, and child - a void that can't be filled by more money, better vacations, or personal advancement. As Augustine wrote centuries ago, "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee."

Only God can provide meaning and fulfilment in your life because he created you and redeemed you through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

As you look to the year ahead, don't believe the myth of self-fulfillment - don't believe that if you only have the one elusive thing then you will be satisfied.

Instead, believe the eternal truth found in the Word of God. Believe that it is only by worshipping the Triune God and living for him that you will find the peace of the Holy Spirit.