Chasing Balloons

I was going to blog about baby shower gift ideas this week, but something else has been stirring in my heart and I wanted to share it with you.

I find it very easy to be in this world. I don’t think that’s a good thing. I find it easy to get sucked into the lies that this is all there is. The world is shiny, bright, and fun. There are new things to buy, to eat, to do, and to discover around every corner. And while I don’t believe eating, doing, and discovering are bad in and of themselves, I do believe when they become our main focus they are inherently bad.

I find this world is like driving on a gravel road in the rain. If you’ve never attempted this feat, when gravel gets wet there are ruts in the road that like to pull your car this way and that. You can be in the middle of the road one minute and nearly in the ditch another, a rut having pulled you off course without ever realizing what was happening.

The world can be like that. Pulling you off course without your realization or consent. And it’s a slippery slope that I don’t think we even realize we’re climbing sometimes. Whether you fall into the trap of shopping, of over-indulging, of lust, of lying, of not doing what you know you’re supposed to, there are no shortage of slippery ruts on the road of life.

All of these ruts can disguise themselves as something appealing. That’s the tricky part. They seem fun, flirtatious, fulfilling. Trust me, I’ve sought comfort in this world on more occasions than I care to admit.

But in the end, this world’s pleasures and their promise of bringing something more to your life are just balloons. Shiny, fun, beautiful - empty. As soon as you try to dig past the surface-level pleasure of these distractions you find there is nothing more than the initial thrill of the chase. What you’re left with is a damaged and useless piece of garbage that can bring you no more pleasure than a sharp blade sliding across your palm. I know that sounds drastic, but do any searching in the Bible for what we’re told about the pleasures of this world and you’ll see it’s likely not drastic enough.

So what are we left with? What is the alternative to an empty and useless life? Oh friend, what a blessing it is that we have the option of Jesus. What a blessing that it is of our own free will we get to come before Him time and time again and He will take us back. What a blessing that He has been here, he knows the struggles, the temptations, the hurts, the opportunity for failure. He knows it, He knows us, and He still chooses us. The things of this world feel hollow and empty because they don’t hold a candle to the light of eternity. This world is a passing moment, a fleeting layover on our journey Home. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the things of this world will bring you any contentment or fulfillment, because they won’t. While we can find joy in this life and I believe should find joy in this life, this joy is found through a life lived for eternity, a life with our eyes set on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). This world is set to decay. It is already doing so (1 John 2:15-17). Day by day we are passing away, drawing nearer to the end of our time on this short layover.

When I fall into the trap that this world is all there is, that I should seek the pleasures and chase the balloons, I’m often reminded that this world is not my home. We’re meant for more. We’re destined for an eternal Home that is not empty. A Home that won’t decay. A destiny that doesn’t disappoint. That means a lot of hard work on this layover, in fact; we’re promised to be hated by this world for not making it our home (John 15:19). But if we can avoid the ruts of this world, or at least get back on track when we’re realize we’ve been pulled off course, if we can set our minds on things above, if we can spread the full, vibrant, fulfilling truth that there is life beyond this world, this short layover, though it might be uncomfortable and we may find few friends to walk the narrow path with us, will be full, fulfilling, and honest. And when we arrive Home, we’ll be welcomed by the only One that matters.