Christ rather than men.

 

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 118:8

    As a young man, the philosophers of ancient Greece were titans of thought that I esteemed to be.  I assumed that through pondering questions and study that I might discover a framework that would ultimately bring me peace and happiness in my life. I looked to psychologists to solve my depression. I looked to philosophers to solve my existential crises.  I looked to the eastern traditions and meditation experts to calm my anxieties.   "THIS IS IT!" I would exclaim, "I have found the answer to this hole in my heart!" And yet, so quickly would the excitement fade away, until a new idea would replace or mix with the old one.  On the cycle went, new ideas, new trends, repackaged ideas that would peak as quickly as they would peter out.   As I worshiped men of academic prowess the crow's feet at the edges of my eyes only deepened, my heart was still in void, and more questions lead to more rabbit holes.  I wanted a right way, but I always wanted it my way.  

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. -Proverbs 14:12

    We all want it our way, man's way, but our way is not the right way.  Our way is much like what the Lord revealed to Paul in Acts 9: it's hard to kick against the pricks. It is hard to kick against the sharp-pointed projections of life when we want it our way instead of his way.  Christ tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life.  A lost person kicks against the pricks each day, the burden of sin continues to crystallize upon his shoulders.  Vain attempts to fill their void with the philosophy of men, with drugs, addiction, a partner, work, etc. These actions only serve as distractions when we make the things of this world our center.  For the saved Christian, Christ is our rock, our foundation, and should be our center focus lest we will kick against the pricks.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. -Colossians 2:8

   I am reminded of the popular bumper sticker: not all who wander are lost.  Many people want to cover up the fact that they are lost, by believing in the lost labyrinth-like ideas of men that keep them trapped from the true happiness found in Christ. Ideas that only bring more pricks in their life, ideas that only serve to give them fleeting pleasure instead of lasting happiness.  Are you depressed?  Christ's yoke is easy. Are you having an existential crises?  The Word of God can be your foundation, His Truth can be yours.  Are you anxious? Christ will calm your storm.  Trust in God and not in men, and he will bring these things and more.  To the Christian this is no surprise, when we lose the focus of Christ and place our confidence in the ideas of men, life only serves us a struggle.  To the Christian and the lost person, are you a struggler or an overcomer?  God's Word says we are more than conquerors through Christ.  Won't you trust in Him?

♪ Only trust Him; Only trust Him;

Only trust Him now.

He will save you; He will save you

He will save you now. ♪