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One of the most abused quotes in history is Hamlet’s soliloquy by Shakespeare, “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Hamlet’s discourse was about whether he should end his life, which actually makes it a discussion about the value of life. He mentions heartache, dreams, oppression, pride, respect, or lack thereof, and the sweat of a weary life. A deep discussion of just this one short discourse could easily take a lifetime.
Another well-known take on the same thought is the song “Is That All There Is?” sung by Peggy Lee. The lyrics discuss the sad state of affairs one is in when you realize there is a nebulous something missing from your life, just out of reach and understanding. One line in particular states: “I had the feeling that something was missing. I don't know what, but when it was over, I said to myself, "is that all there is…” The thought here is if that’s all there is to life, then let’s all party and drink to drown out the emptiness.
There are very few of us who have not had thoughts of “why bother” or “is that all there is?” It is a natural state of mind. We may have set goals that don’t seem possible, or been spurned by someone we wanted to be with, and so we turn inwards in our reflections. We wonder what we are missing out on or if we should continue this foolish life we are leading. Why are other people seemingly so happy, when we can’t find even a smidgen of happiness?
Very few people haven’t had these feelings, however fleeting, but some dwell on these feelings; they “live” in this mindset all the time.
The world has varying names for this state of being, the names depending on which end of the spectrum we fall into. The titles range from depression to egocentric, but God calls it by another name: the natural state of man. Man without God is in a fallen, depressed, condition unable to put a high value on anything, including himself. Though at times this may also cause us to go in the opposite direction, putting a high value on ourselves to the extent that we see no worth in anyone else, becoming greedy, willing to do anything to get what we want out of life, irregardless of hurting others. One example of this would be Dickens’s Scrooge. Scrooge had no love for anything except money; he didn’t even love himself, only hoarding the money, never using any of it to make himself even slightly comfortable.
If we depend on things or people for happiness it can all be gone in the twinkling of an eye, our homes can be destroyed from hurricanes or fire, friends can leave us, our health can go. Life is not something we can count on being what we want it to be. Life can change instantly from an incident as simple as tripping on a curb, leaving us unable to even feed ourselves. So maybe this doom and gloom is justified?
We see these sad ways of life in many people around us, but we also see the complete opposite in others. There are those who are full of life, happy and satisfied, regardless of their circumstances. There are paraplegics, who are overflowing with love for those around them, and spend their life sharing what they have. There are those who own nothing, but spend their lives working for others.
What is the difference? Their viewpoint. They aren’t looking inward, or to the world, they are looking upward, to a God who holds the universe in His hands. If my happiness depends on right now, it is short lived. My happiness depends on a promise for the future that I know will be kept. I can find joy in whatever I am going through on a daily basis. I have no need to question life, I know it is held safe. I have no need to worry about what I am missing, for God will supply all I have need of. I may not live in a mansion, but I know God will care for me.
Yes, I struggle daily to focus up and not in, and some days are better than others, but I know that I can face whatever happens because God is my true love, my wealth, and my security.
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“Is That All There Is?” was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller,
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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