Introduction

I watched a series on Netflix and a movie on Amazon a couple of years ago in which the protagonist in each was an atheist - depressed, lonely, snarky, and absolutely interesting, but desperately looking for… longing for… meaning. It was sort of sad to observe the writers’ attempts to guide their characters in their pursuit for meaning in a life without God. I had a heavy heart as I reflected on how hollow their efforts were, no matter how well put together the stories were. They each had a longing no temporal solution could ultimately fill, though they both sought an optimistic ending. One did better than the other in moving Godward. In this life there’s always hope. 

In All The Wrong Places

In North Africa, around 354 A.D., a baby boy was born to a Christian mother and a pagan father. As the boy grew into a young man he found trouble and mischief at every turn. When he turned 16 years old, he traveled to Carthage, which was a Roman territory. There he studied rhetoric and debate. While studying in Carthage, this young man sought fulfillment in his life. We might say he was looking for love in all the wrong places. 

What Does God Have to Do with It?

Over twenty years ago I watched a television talk show that had a discussion I remember to this day. I don’t remember which of the world’s problems was being solved, but I do remember an exchange between the host and one of the guests. The host asked, “Don’t you believe in God?” to which the guest replied, “Yes, but what does that have to do with the way I live my life?”.