I recall being so restless during the early days of my career. I would go to the beach and dream of ways I could make enough money to buy one of those beach homes, get one of those yachts and acquire the “good life”. When I was at work, I was always striving to be number one. Whether as a producer, or team leader, number two was never good enough. I had to climb higher, go faster and get bigger. Looking back, I can’t help but shake my head in disbelief at the waste of time and energy! Why? I think the story of one man highlights it well. 

He was a speaker at a conference I recently attended and shared how he made over $3.5 million in the market, but in the process, suffered through two divorces and four open heart surgeries. His question was, “does anyone think it was worth it“? Obviously, no one did, but I was once quickly heading in the same direction. However, by the grace of God, He got my attention before I faced the same fate. Thankfully, God offers us One true way to receive the rest our restless souls crave and relief from life’s three primary stressors:

Work: Why do we work? Just to make money, buy bigger toys and accumulate fancy titles? When we realize our identity is not tied to what we do, or what we make, but in Christ, we are released from such strongholds. Then, our work becomes gateways to make a difference for others, encourage others and reflect Christ to others (Psalm 90:17).

Wealth: What is wealth? Is it just money? Thankfully, it’s much more than that. Wealth is how well we steward what we have and what we’ve been given. For example, one can be given $1 million and/or good health and they may squander it all. Likewise, someone with $100 and/or a physical handicap might maximize what they’ve been given. So it is with the treasures we receive from God. For we’ve all been given time, talents, treasures and testimonies to either squander, or invest wisely (Proverbs 11:24). Wealth is realizing these gifts are all His and in seeking His guidance to advance them for His glory.

Wonders: Many are restless for that next “high”. These are the wonderful moments that happen to us physically, emotionally and even spiritually. Thus, when the wonders grow stale, new thrills are sought after. However, with Christ there are never any shortages of thrills. For He fills us with His Spirit, and despite our ups and downs, He grants us the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). We also gain the qualities of perseverance and perspective – which allows us to see things with an eternal “Word view” rather than a short term world view.

Application: “One Way Works” – John 14:6
Ultimately, restlessness stems from a restless heart. Thus, there is no pill, thrill, skill and/or deal that can satisfy a person’s heart, life and spirit like Jesus Christ. For He is the one way that truly works.