“The greatest disappointment (and resulting pain) you can feel is when you have just experienced that which you thought would bring you the ultimate in pleasure - and it has let you down. Pleasure without boundaries produces a life without purpose. That is real pain. No death, no tragedy, no atrocity - nothing really matters. Life is sheer hollowness, with no purpose.” Ravi Zacharias - The End of Reason

Dr. Zacharias’ new book is a response to a book written by atheist Sam Harris. The statement above does speak to the sad state of anyone who ascribes to an atheistic view, but it also speaks to the religious person seeking to find purpose somewhere other than in Jesus.

Jesus tells us in John 10:1-18, one of His purposes for us… “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

We all strive for a full life. One is offered us. A full life is only found in the One who is Life (John 14:6). Unfortunately we are at war with our flesh, the devil and this world. Each offering what it claims will provide a full life and always proving itself wrong. The only proof necessary for this is our own experience. No one can claim a life that is full - of purpose and peace - apart from Jesus… at least not with integrity.

As one who for too many years sought a “full” life in obtaining a higher position, more power, and a lot of possessions, I can say without hesitation that a full life can only be found in a person. That person is Jesus and his promise of a full life is the only place we can find our true purpose. When we experience the fullness he offers our “greatest disappointment” then shifts from ourself to those we see around us who are still searching. Not to offer them pity from a pious position, but to offer them hope from one broken person to another.