What will fill this emptiness inside?

I was prompted to write this after hearing that many olympians including our greatest struggle with life now that they no longer swims for Australia. They still have so much life ahead.

Being in the spotlight doesn’t satisfy. Justin Bieber’s behaviour and drug and alcohol consumption keep getting him into trouble, indicating his life is less than perfect right now. People don’t want him living next door to them. Elvis, our ultimate superstar, was found with an overdose of prescription medications he used to help him cope with life.

Substance abuse doesn’t take away the pain of an unfulfilled life… so why do so many who have everything in life still feel empty? Then there’s the need to do anything to stay on top.

Miley Sirus began twerking which does nothing to highlight her talent, Madonna’s standards diminished in her quest to reverse her faded star status, Michael Jackson it is reported, was never happy with his life, even though he had it all.

Beyonce and Katy Perry craved fame so desperately that they’ve turned their back on God and sold their souls to the devil. Jay Z now wants to be known as Zeesus (Jesus) to bring fulfilment to his life, but there’ll always be someone following close behind, climbing that ladder of success.

I know what it was like to have strangers call me by name when I’m out. In the late ’60s I was a popular gospel singer, booked solidly singing in venues around Sydney. I know how it feels to be the centre of attention and then to have it drift away. I became the mum to three beautiful girls and all that attention stopped for me.

I was never under a delusion that I was anything more than gifted by God and obedient to Him when I sang, but when that attention no longer came and to be the best Mum I could be, I had to put a stop to that lifestyle and put myself last. It took a while for me to feel content with this new stay at home motherhood thing but it was the most significant role God would have me play.

Selling your soul to The Devil probably seems attractive if you’re promised all you ever dreamed of, but there is an ultimately price you will have to pay, there are consequences for heading down that road.

In the Bible God says:
Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Philippians 2:3-4

As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.” When people boast about themselves, it doesn’t count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that’s different! 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Jesus said to the disciples:
And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds. Matthew 16:24-27

What Satan fails to tell you is that aligning yourself with him makes you the ultimate looser. He is on a time limit and he is doomed in the end. Here are some facts you may not know about Satan:

Lucifer/Satan/The Devil was the chief worshipper in heaven until he wanted worship for himself. This desire backfired and he was banished from heaven along with his Satan worshipping angels. His desire to be the centre of attention was his downfall and although he will promise anything you want to get you, he has nothing to offer you but fear, death and destruction! His plan is to do all he can to make you never understand that God loves you completely and Jesus died for you. Read here in John 10:10

The Bible records the fall of Satan here:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.

For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’

But instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ’Can this be the one who shook the earth and the kingdoms of the world?

Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wilderness? Is this the king who demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?’ Isaiah 14:12-17

Just like he lured Beyonce and Katy Perry promising them all they wanted, Satan long ago tried to get Jesus to worship him, promising “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” But look at Jesus’ response:

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ " Matthew 4:10 Three times Satan tried with various promises to persuade Jesus to worship him. Read the other attempts here

I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus! Romans 16:19-20

Why won’t fame and fortune ever bring lasting satisfaction? Because we were created to give praise not to receive it. We were never designed to be worshipped, there’s only one who is worthy of praise. Worship belongs to God alone.

In the Bible God says you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

What does the Lord require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul and to obey the LORD’s commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good. Deuteronomy 10:12-13

“If you carefully obey all the commands and if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul, and if you worship him, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons so you can harvest crops of grain, grapes for wine, and olives for oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your cattle to graze in, and you yourselves will have plenty to eat.”

“But do not let your heart turn away from the Lord to worship other gods. If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn against you. Continue here: Deuteronomy 11:13-17

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

“The LORD your God will cleanse your heart and the hearts of all your descendants so that you will love him with all your heart and soul, and so you may live! Deuteronomy 30:6

‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27.

You’re the one, God, you alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all alive; heaven’s angels worship you! Nehemiah 9:6 MSG

For further info, see also Worshipping Idols

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© Copyright 2014 Elaine Costin All Rights Reserved
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