The words of Jesus are in red text.

Have you ever felt there is something lacking within you: a longing, a need, a void, an emptiness, or an indescribable feeling that something is missing on the “inside” but you don’t know what it is? It is similar to when we are hungry or thirsty for something, but we do not know what specific food or fluid will fill our craving. So we try to eat or drink what’s available—but the craving remains. All of us have experienced this scenario of being hungry or thirsty for something—which occurs within the physical realm. However, the emptiness on the “inside” occurs within the spiritual realm. And in the same manner we seek food and fluid to fulfill our physical needs, we seek different earthly “things” to fill the spiritual void: wealth, possessions, power, sex, drugs, approval and recognition from others, knowledge, (and you can add to this list if it’s not included). However, like food and drink, the “filling properties” of all earthly attempts to fill the spiritual void quickly fade away. For in truth, spiritual cravings can only be filled spiritually by God. In addition, Satan is also aware of this spiritual void—which is why he propagates an assortment of delusional lies that promote sin as a means to fill the spiritual emptiness within. The first chapter of Genesis declares God created the heavens and the earth—but most important, He created man and woman to live upon and populate the earth. To do this He made sure the earth had sufficient natural resources to support life throughout the ages: such as sunlight, air, water, self-sustaining animals and plants to eat, minerals for making and building things, and various types of fuels that produce energy. In addition, God designed humans with all of the attributes required to survive and multiply. He gave us a free will, an imagination, automatic storage of memories and memory retrieval, analytical thinking, an ability to communicate via multiple means, discernment, empathy, and much more. However, although it is not specifically declared in the Bible, through introspective analysis and rational logic one may conclude God chose to omit a key component within us that only He can fill. For example: • If a spiritual void did not exist, there would be no need or reason to search for God. • If an earthly “thing” could fill the void, then why would we need Him? As such, whether you call it a “missing piece of the puzzle,” or a “spiritual hole in our soul,” every one of us has an innate longing that only God can fill—for this is the intent of His design. King Solomon—who had great wisdom, wealth, esteem, and power—declared human endeavors and worldly pursuits are vain, have no real value, and are meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Because of his position and power he tried everything possible to fill the void—but to no avail—and he realized all that he tried was worthless and futile. “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 At the end of Solomon’s declarations of discoveries he wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Many persons are attempting to follow the same path as King Solomon—but most are not aware they are spiritually drowning in a dark and sinful world—all caused by the consequences of Satan’s lies. In addition, some think this is the “best as it gets” as they struggle to stay afloat. However, there are some who begin to think there must be something more to life—as they search for spiritual truths outside the physical realm—because what they are doing does not fulfill their deepest needs, and makes things worse. Meanwhile, as this revelational insight is enhanced, the attitude and desires of their heart begins to change towards their sin and God—which is reflected by the following transformation—for they: 1 . Begin to see the consequence s of sin. 2 . Realize they are controlled by their sin. 3 . Experience a repulsion towards their sin. 4 . Develop a motivation to break free from the bondage of their sin. 5 . Desire to do what is right and good. 6 . Conclude the only means of escape is to seek God and His righteousness. 7 . Reach out to Him for help. The above transformation would not occur if (1) we did not have a spiritual void, and (2) things upon earth filled the void. But what’s more, when this revelational transformation occurs within our heart is when God’s grace and love reaches down and pulls us out from the depths of our drowning. For God does not consider our sins (which He cleanses and heals us via the Holy Spirit), but He looks deeply into the inner workings and desires of our heart. The creator of the universe, the One who spoke the earth into existence, and the One who formed us from the dust of the ground searches His creation to find those who will love Him. “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind.” Jeremiah 17:10 Jesus declared: • “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 • “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 • “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 • “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 Those who experience the filling of their spiritual hole by their faith in Jesus Christ will joyfully declare from the deepest parts of their heart and soul, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103 2-5 I join in Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians that you place your hope, belief, faith and trust in Jesus Christ. “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 All for His Glory, Harold D. Thomas Bible Study Thought-Provoking Questions The purpose of the questions is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Bible, this Bible study topic, and ourselves. The questions may be answered by each reader, or used by a Bible study group leader, or church pastor. The questions should be answered or discussed after reading “Are You Missing A Piece of the Puzzle.” In addition, the questions are designed to enhance learning via the determination of personal opinions and/or discovering how the lesson content relates to our personal lives. As such, no answers are provided. Questions The lesson states we have a spiritual void within us. • How would you describe this void? • What are indicators of the void’s existence? The lesson explains how sin is used as an attempt to fill the spiritual void within us. Can you identify examples? The lesson states that Satan uses an assortment of delusional lies that promotes sin as a means to fill the emptiness within. • Can you identify examples of his tactics? • How does someone rationalize their acceptance of sin? Is this also a lie? How would you describe the heart and soul of someone who hungers and thirsts for righteousness? Explain the spiritual allegory Jesus declared in Revelation 3:20: What would cause someone to bless, praise, worship, and love God? • Is this a normal experience for humans? • What has changed? Have you identified (or relate to) truths within this lesson? Explain. You may download a PDF version of the questions by clicking on this button.