I know what is missing...

Something's Missing - John Mayer

I'm not alone, I wish I was
'Cause then I'd know I was down because
I couldn't find a friend around
To love me like they do right now
They do right now

I'm dizzy from the shopping mall
I searched for joy but I bought it all
It doesn't help the hunger pains
And a thirst I'd have to drown first to ever satiate

Something's missing
And I don't know how to fix it
Something's missing
And I don't know what it is
No I don't know what it is
At all

When Autumn comes, it doesn't ask
It just walks in where it left you last
You never know when it starts
Until there's fog inside the glass around your summer heart

Something's missing
And I don't know how to fix it
Something's missing
And I don't know what it is, no I don't know what it is
At all

I can't be sure that this state of mind
Is not of my own design
I wish there was an over-the-counter test for loneliness
For loneliness like this

Something's missing
And I don't know how to fix it
Something's missing
And I don't know what it is
No I don't know what it is

Something's different
And I don't know what it is
No I don't know what it is

Friends - check
Money - check
Well-slept - check
Opposite sex - check
Guitar - check
Microphone - check
Messages waiting on me when I come home - check

How come everything I think I need
comes with batteries?
What do you think it means?
How come everything I think I need...
________________________________________________________________

...Never quite adds up? Always dissappoints? Everything you think you need has such high promises, such great guarantees. It promises to bring true inner contentment, promises to bring joy, happiness, fame, wealth, it promises the world... But it does nothing but prove to be futile, empty, shallow, and leaves you feeling worse than you began?

John Mayer, ahh I hear the girl's hearts swooning already. I hear some ridiculously talented guitar riffs just screaming off the page. I hear a voice that most would kill to have, and I see a young celebrity who could have any girl he wants, has had so many celebrity relationships, has the sold out concerts every night, has absolutely everything the world and our society claims to be the greatest, everything our world tries to hold up to value... Yet he writes a song about how he positively has something missing, how he isn't complete, how he has everything he could ever want, yet it's not enough. Hmmmm, very peculiar?

I think not. In fact I know not.

In fact it seems like it's becoming a common trend in today's world. Too many people buy the lie that the more you have, the better off you will be. But is bigger really better? I'm not convinced. The more you have does not necessarily equate to the more happiness you will possess.

Mr. John Mayer, John Doe, and far too many people who walk this earth, I know what is missing. It's Jesus Christ.

Our world is pushing away the one thing we absolutely, positively need to focus our life on. We're pushing Him out of schools, out of the malls, out of the stores, out of our lives, which is the one place we need Him the most.

The world we dwell in struggles with greed, jealousy, consumerism, materialistic ways, unfaithfulness, a lack of moral good, and a whole plethora of other deep-rooted issues. In this lost and hopeless world, I'm convinced the only hope we can solidly rely on is found solely in the life and death of Jesus Christ.

It been my experience that the greatest moments of joy and happiness I have experienced in my life are not the possessions I have, they are not found in what I buy, have, or get... They are found in the moments where I am doing exactly what I am callled to do. Place my hope, my love, my all into my saviour Jesus Christ, the times where I am sacrificially generous, overwhelmingly faithful, and serving from a humble heart. Now I admit, these moments are rare and far between in my life, and I am working on increasing the frequency of these times in my life, but I know that those are the times where I feel most complete, most full of joy, most free, and most loved.

John Mayer, you're missing the most valuable, incredibly gift ever offered your way. I promise you that you will not be dissappointed, I promise you will not be left down, in fact you'll be loved beyond anything you have ever witnessed or experienced. You're right you know, you're not designed to feel this way, you're not created to be alone, you're created to love and be loved, best part is, it's free.

And there's no need for batteries.

Truth hurts??? I think it brings forth freedom.

It's funny.

The truth hurts has become a cliche of this day and age... I think that the only reason the truth hurts is because oftentimes we lie, disguise, or avoid the truth. We avoid things that may 'rub us the wrong way' hoping that it will disappear but we all know that never happens... We may temporarily avoid the uncomfortable feelings that the truth may bring our way... But avoiding the stitch will rarely bring true authentic joy, peace, and comfort into the centre of our souls.

A great example is avoiding the basic hygiene practice of brushing your teeth. Sometimes when it's late at night, or a rushed morning it's difficult to find the minute to brush your teeth, so you just think "I'll have gum, mouthwash, and do an extra job tonight" (Okay, I know this is disgusting, but don't act like it hasn't happened to you at some point in your life! In case you were wondering, I brush my teeth at a high frequency - I'm a part of the cavity free club at my dentist!) And this may lead to a slight tooth ache, and we just avoid doing anything about it. But eventually we get a cavity, or need a root canal, and for anyone who has had either of those, you cannot avoid that! It is far too painful! All that to say, is that avoiding telling the truth right up front is what causes the truth to hurt.

I have come to realize that avoiding the truth, avoiding things that may make me feel uncomfortable, lying, or distorting the truth are some of the most damaging things one can do in a relationship. Whether that be a relationship with a friend, signficant other, parent, business partner - anyone... it causes severe damage. And the only way to remedy the damage that has been done is through telling the truth, the fully truth, and nothing but the truth (My tribute to the justice system) which is so often what hurts. It is far from easy telling the truth at all times, I get that, I know that well. But it's even more difficult to tell the truth after lying to disguise the reality.