Chasing the Wind:

 

The Ache for More

There’s a deep, unshakeable ache that resides in all of us, one that we may not even fully understand, yet it quietly stirs within our hearts. It’s a hunger that, no matter how much we try to fill it, never seems satisfied. Even in the happiest moments of our lives, when everything feels right, there’s an underlying question that surfaces: Is this it? Is this all there is?

This is where the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:11 hits home. The verse says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time; also, He has set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end.” In the original Hebrew, the word הָעֹלָם (ha'olam) refers to the world or the cosmic order, not in the later sense of "eternity" but as something enduring and beyond human comprehension. It’s as though God has embedded within humanity an awareness of something vast and mysterious, something grander than what we can see or touch. He has set this awareness of the world—the divine order of things—into our hearts.

It’s right there before us. We see it. We hear it. We sense it. It’s the recognition that there is a greater purpose, a deeper meaning to the world we live in. We feel a connection to something beyond our immediate experience—a longing for understanding that transcends the fleeting moments of life. Yet, as Ecclesiastes says, this awareness, this longing for the divine order, comes with a paradox: “yet so that man cannot find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end.”

God has placed this awareness in us, yet we can’t fully grasp the whole picture. It’s like being given a puzzle, where all the pieces are right in front of us, but we can’t see how they all fit together. There’s a vast mystery that remains just beyond our reach—a divine design that we intuitively know is there, yet we cannot fully comprehend. This cosmic truth is embedded in our hearts, in the very fabric of creation, but it’s veiled from our eyes.

This longing for meaning, for purpose, is universal. It’s present in every person, regardless of background, culture, or belief. We strive to fill this yearning with so many things—success, possessions, relationships, status. Yet no matter how much we acquire, we are left with an empty feeling. The things we pursue may bring us momentary pleasure or satisfaction, but they never seem to fill the deep, eternal ache within. We’re left wondering: Why does it feel like something is missing?

Solomon, in his search for meaning, chased after everything the world had to offer. He sought pleasure, wisdom, wealth, power, and anything that could fill that void. But after experiencing it all, he reached the conclusion: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). No amount of earthly success or pleasure could satisfy the longing in his soul. The pursuit was, in the end, just chasing the wind—vain and fleeting.

This is where the beauty of Ecclesiastes 3:11 shines. The world or cosmic order that God has placed in our hearts points to something beyond the temporary pleasures and distractions of life. We are made for more than just the here and now. Yet, that greater understanding, the fullness of God's plan, remains hidden from our complete sight. It’s as though we can see the shadows of it, feel its presence, but never fully grasp it.

This is where Yeshua comes in. The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 1:16-17, “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” In Yeshua, we find the One who holds all things together—the One who reveals the fullness of God's plan. Where human understanding falls short, He is the fulfillment. Through Him, the mystery of creation, of the divine order, begins to unfold.

Yet even as we are invited into this relationship with Yeshua, the mystery of God's design remains. We are given glimpses of the fullness of His work—through scripture, through the life of Yeshua, and through the testimony of His Spirit. But the complete picture? It will only be revealed fully when we see Him face to face in the fullness of time.

So, what do we do with this longing? How do we respond to this deep ache in our hearts?

The first step is to acknowledge that no earthly thing will ever fully satisfy this longing. We may find temporary contentment in things, in relationships, or in accomplishments, but these will never satisfy the deeper yearning for meaning that God has placed in our hearts. This recognition is not to lead us to despair, but to open our eyes to something greater—to a relationship with God that fills us in ways nothing else can.

The second step is to recognize that the ultimate answer to this longing is found in Yeshua, who has come to reveal the mysteries of the Father. He is the answer to the ache in our hearts, not through a full understanding of all things, but through the promise of eternal life and the invitation to know the One who holds the mysteries of the universe. In Him, we can find peace, joy, and contentment that surpass all human understanding.

The final step is to live with the tension of knowing that while we have glimpses of God’s work, the fullness of that understanding awaits us. We live in the now and the not yet. We see His handiwork in creation, in our lives, and in His Word. Yet the fullness of His plan will be revealed only when He returns to make all things new.

In the meantime, we continue to seek, to learn, to grow, and to trust in the One who holds all things together. We may not fully understand the work of God from beginning to end, but we can rest in the truth that He is working out His purposes, even when we can't see the whole picture.

So, the question remains: will we continue to run in circles, chasing after things that can never truly fulfill us? Or will we finally allow God to satisfy the deep hunger within? Will we stop looking for answers in the wrong places and, instead, come to the One who is the answer?

The ache is real. The longing is real. And the satisfaction is real—only in Him.

I don't remember where I got this image from... 
I know it was some free picture place online though.