The world is in dire need of fulfilment in various areas. Plans and decisions are being made at individual and national levels to bring solutions in certain areas, such as economic stability, stable governance, peace and security.
Unfortunately, the conditions of things as it is make it hard to achieve. Everywhere people are dissatisfied and only remain hopeful and wishful. What are you hungry and thirsty for? What are the chances that you will achieve it?
The Anatomy of Matter
Some of the things the world is voraciously running after today include:
Economic Stability
One of the greatest pursuits of the world today is economic stability. As defined, economic stability refers to the existence of access to resources essential for a healthy and comfortable life. Parameters of stable economies include access to affordable housing, employment opportunities that provide competitive remunerations and favourable working conditions. Furthermore, access to quality and affordable education, healthcare, and support for the vulnerable, is a measure of empowered economies.
For most economies, both at Macro and Micro levels, all these remain a hope and desire. This is especially true in countries that fall in the categories of the third world, also known as the global south. Conversely, even presumably empowered economies like the US, are yet to achieve the necessary stability with 1 in 10 people living in poverty.
Stable Governance and Trustable Leadership
We have taught governance in our curriculums, drafted superior forward-facing constitutions, and tried establishing democratic processes that afford smooth transition from regime to regime. But are we any better? We get bored soon and reject the very regimes which at inception, we thought would save the situation and lead us to a better future.
In Kenya, and many economies this has been real. The Gen Zs have made their voices clear that the government of His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto is not giving any hope and demands a lot of reconsideration, all crowned by a refrain of #RutoMustGo.The world is watching keenly, and the agitation for something better is felt everywhere.
Inclusivity & Acceptance
More than ever before, people are openly demanding recognition and acceptance. In the last ten years, many appeals for inclusivity and acceptance have taken advantage of technology and taken the world by overwhelming surprise. The Black Lives Matter Campaign, the bold and daring demand for recognition by the LGBTQ community, unrest by trade unions and civil societies and pressure groups, are all harbingers of a hungry and thirsty world.
People long to be loved, accepted and appreciated based on their being people.
Entertainment & Pleasure
Entertainment and pleasure hunting presents another hunger on the rise. People have created for themselves an insatiable hunger for entertainment which in most cases results in creeping in of hedonistic tendencies—the belief that pleasure and happiness are the most important pursuits in life. But where does it always end?
The consequences of hedonistic tendencies speak volumes against it, as Bill Rudge Writes:
“During three days in August 1969 on a farm near Woodstock, New York, the youth of America declared the founding of the “Woodstock Nation”—the land of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. A huge crowd of 500,000 camped in a muddy meadow. There they wallowed in free sex, illegal drugs, and angry music. They got what they wanted. But did they want what they got? They wanted free sex. For a lifetime they got herpes, genital warts, PID, and a host of other STDs. ”
–Bill Rudge, Overcoming Sexual Immorality. P 22.
Bill was a teen during the 1960’s sexual revolution. He records how the norms of society changed with an increased demand for permissiveness and access to all desires and wishes in the area of sensuality. Today we see it in disturbing statistics and addictions robbing us of useful men and women.
Peace! Peace! Peace!
Our world is hungry for peace. With the technology and advancement in armament, the world has realised that we can’t safely wage wars. Nuclear weapons, fighter jets, warships, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, and many more, have revolutionised the way wars are fought. Out of our selfish interests (hidden in the facade of ‘our corporate good’), and a sobering reality that our armaments can wipe us all, we value peace more than ever.
Even the World’s big brother, the US, must exercise a lot of caution while advancing Truman’s Doctrine. But how can we have peace without the prince of peace?
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [KJV Isaiah 26:3]
Godlessness and Relativism
Relativism is the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute. Everyone is free to choose what they want, and no one, or authority can perfectly determine what is good or moral for us all. The majority of people who embrace relativism tend to appreciate godlessness—the state of not believing in God or gods—leaving people on their own without embracing divine requirements.
On June 2, 2023, a sobering article clobbered the head of BBC News; “Utah primary schools ban Bible for ‘vulgarity and violence.” We want good books that present our dreams and wishes, not the Bible that presents the true condition of humanity. Were its authors not inspired we could have embraced it more. Unfortunately, it remains an open rebuke to sin and desires of selfish unregenerate hearts, and because we struggle with obedience, we find it better to discard it.
So the world is hungry to be free from the voice of God. The big question is, after pushing God out of our lives, families, and institutions, are we better off? Are we filled?
A Hunger That Will Be Filled
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [KJV Matthew 5:6]
While the world is hungry for stability in economy and governance, inclusivity and acceptance, entertainment and pleasure, peace against all odds, and know-nothingism, we don’t have any assurance of achieving all of them. Think about economic stability, for instance, the most stable economies are guilty of riding on the backs of those lagging. Colonialism and neocolonialism have enriched some people at the expense of others. We can only hope that someday things will be better, but we don’t have an assurance of a balance in the same.
The same comes with pleasure and entertainment. We get bored too soon and create unnatural hunger and thirst for more and more. No one is fulfilled, the demand is on the rise, and boredom is real. Our capacity to be entertained is becoming exhausted faster and the vicious cycle continues.
What could be worse than a thirst that cannot be quenched or a hunger that can never be filled? Is that not akin to the hunger and thirst of our world today?
Amidst all this, we have an assurance that a hunger for righteousness will be filled. But how many even think or desire righteousness? Is it not like Pharaoh asking, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. [KJV Exodus 5:2]
While we pursue everything except God, it is important to know that there is no assurance of success. We all know that the needs of the world outweigh the available resources. Some have more than they need, some cannot acquire as much as they need, some are too lazy to get all they need, and some will never get all they need. Whatever the desires of our hearts may be in our temporal pursuits, disappointments await us at some point.
Forget about macro terms(aggregate variables) and bring the parameters above to the micro-level (individual level) and understand its enormity in real terms. As long as you are alive, disappointment is waiting for you somewhere. Why don’t you be wise and have at least one sure pursuit in hunger and thirst after righteousness?
As you continue working to get it all right, I wish you well and hope that you succeed in whatever goals you have set for yourself. I pray you may never forget this appeal from the heart of God:
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! [KJV Deuteronomy 5:29]
Conclusion
Our world remains unfulfilled in many areas. There are things we need and deem important for our comfort and happiness. Unfortunately, there are things we are not assured of acquiring like economic breakthroughs. As you pursue all these, find peace and safety in pursuing things which are not risks but surety. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
The Cleaver 