From the Home Place

September 19, 2025

Now you have to know right up front that I’m not a “Trekkie.” I’ve never watched a complete episode of Star Trek, or any other science fiction program, so I have little idea of what I’m talking about for the next sentence or two. Supposedly, there is a “black hole” in space that swallows everything that gets near it. It’s this giant vortex of no return, according to science fiction. I have no idea if such a place really exists in space, but for now, let’s step back into reality.

I would highly suggest that every Christian should spend a great amount of time reading the little-read book of Ecclesiastes. It’s in the Old Testament and is considered one of the Books of Wisdom. Though there are a myriad of truths are buried within this book, like most treasures, you have to dig for them. I am of the strong opinion that the book of Ecclesiastes holds many treasures for the soul of all humanity.

One such treasure is found in Ecclesiastes 3:11, which informs the reader that God has “placed eternity in the heart of man.” If you will, God has placed a “black hole” in the heart of every person ever born. He has given us a longing to get ready for eternity. You see loved ones, every person is a physical, emotional and spiritual being according to God’s design.

The physical is the body in which you travel across this ‘ol ball of dirt. It’s that part that each of us has been born into and we preside there until our death, at which time we each enter into eternity. The emotional, often called the “heart” or the “soul” within the Bible, is that part of you that makes you, you. It’s home to your will, your character and to the particular inner characteristics that make you unique from all other humans.

The spiritual is often the most neglected portion of our humanity. It is where the “God connection” resides within each of us. It is that hole within the soul (heart) of everyone. A hole, a place that exists for us to get to know God. The problem is, we humans have a sin nature. The sin nature also resides within my soul, and it desires to please only self.

Stated simply, within the soul of every person is a “hole,” a space, a vacancy, that desires to be connected to God, but our soul desires to fill that vacancy with anything and everything except God. Literally, we are soulish (selfish) people.

Since the beginning of time, humanity has attempted to fill this vacancy with everything except God. Things that I believe can be placed into the two main categories of: lust and pride. Lust can be physical or emotional. To “lust” is to have a deep, driving desire for someone or something, and wanting it now! Pride is that part of each of us that convinces us that we “deserve” whatever we lust for.

The Bible clearly teaches that each of us is born into sin. We naturally sin against God, leaving a gap (a hole) in our relationship with our Creator. As stated earlier, we then attempt to fill that hole with the things of our world. The painful part is that the ruler of this world system (Satan) will do his best to help us find a myriad of other things to fill that vacancy with. The problem is that none of those things, or people, of this world can fill that void for us. The void can only be filled by God Himself, the one who created it in the first place.

Now our enemy will do his best to convince each of us that “if only” can fill it. If only we had this or that, or if only we looked like this or that, or if only we could learn a greater truth, or if only we were to find the one thing that could make us really happy then life would be perfect.

News flash, there is no such thing as a “perfect” life here on this earth. I have read of many people who possessed millions of dollars and all sorts of earthly treasures, yet they died fearful. It is reported that shortly before Rockefeller’s death, he was asked how much money he desired, to which he responded, “Just a little bit more.” Riches cannot fill the void.

I know of a man who owns hundreds-of-thousands of acres of land. When asked how much land he planned on owning, his response was, “Just that which joins me.” Owning things does not fill the void. Nothing of this world system can ever fill the void! Yet, when we realize that we are an empty person we quite often become a bitter person because of the constant pain of emptiness.

The bock of Ecclesiastes, and every other book of the Bible, declares that only God can fill that emptiness. The amazing thing is that when we invite God to fill our spiritual void, then and only then, does our life find meaning, purpose and fulfillment!

So today, I must ask, “Do you know God?” If not, Jesus has made it possible for you to know the only One who can fill that void that exists deep within your soul. As I’ve shared in the last two writings, asking God to be our dance partner through faith in Jesus is the only way to truly enjoy your journey within this world. Dance with God, follow His lead, visit with Him and trust Him to help you discover the real you! Then I can cheerfully write:

Finding genuine fulfillment in God with you, Neal