Emptiness

News of Rick Warren’s son’s suicide saddened me deeply. In this time of devastating loss my heart goes out to the Warren family, and each person who mourns his untimely death.

Now i don’t know the circumstances which led to this young man taking his life, nor do in any way want to judge, but perhaps in some ways i can relate to the pain which leads to such a drastic actions. Yes, there have been moments so dark in my journey where i’ve contemplated ending it, but through what i can only describe as divine grace have i held on to a hope of something better.

Pain and loneliness has become a rampant epidemic in the 21st century. Yes, even though there are more options and activities than ever in history to fill our lives, many of us sense greater emptiness than ever. We are entertained and amused, we perform, strive in our careers, we probably socialize much more than our parents ever did, yet there is a gnawing emptiness that fills most souls, christian and 'heathen' alike. Many christians may deny it, but i bet if they could slow down and become truly quiet, 9 times out of 10 they will find the emptiness is still there. We tend to mask it with activity, albeit good activity.

The life propagated by many christian teachers and preachers, is often a far cry from what Jesus taught. We have this need for performance, to meet a standard set before us. Yet most standards set are unreachable, and even if some reach them, they inevitably topple on them. No standard is ever good enough, for even if we reach one there will be another to strive towards. That is why love and grace always trumps any need for purpose and performance.

I don’t how much emptiness this young man felt, nor how much pressure he felt to meet a standard purpose and performance set before him, and perhaps these aren’t the key questions to ask. Did this young man feel fully accepted as he was? I don’t know the answer to that, but i personally have rarely felt fully and unconditionally accepted by my believing peers. There’s always seems to be the expectation to meet their standards. But i thank God that through Christ i’m accepted by Him, completely and unconditionally. Not by purpose or performance, but only unconditional acceptance can truly fill the emptiness of a soul.