Longing for Something More

After Johnny Cash’s divorce, deciding that he needed a home of his own where he could relax, write, entertain, and showcase his expanding collection of books and records, he went to noted Nashville architect and builder Braxton Dixon and asked to see available lots on which he might build his dream house. Dixon happened to be in the process of building a one-of-a-kind house for himself overlooking Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, about 20 twenty miles north of Nashville, and took Cash to have a look at it to get some ideas for his own place.

Dixon’s house was built of stone and hand-hewn timber he had collected from more than a dozen old barns and houses—some more than 200 years old. The rafters were made of skinned tree trunks, and three of the outside walls were glass. It was unusual and impressive, and as soon as he saw it Cash wanted it. He loved the lake and the roughness of the stones and wood. It filled him with a sense of peace and space. He imagined it as a place where he could straighten out his life and get reacquainted with the trees, flowers, grass, and other natural things that had lulled and inspired him as a boy.

What Cash was really longing for was that simple, childlike faith he once possessed as a boy in Arkansas. But his mind was so blurred from drugs and other bad choices, he really did not know which way was up. So he became obsessed with this house that somehow connected him to simpler days, like fishing with his brother Jack and talking about life.

Scripture Reading:

1. [God] has planted eternity in the human heart. . . (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT)

Each of us has a longing for something beyond this world, and we often try to fulfill that longing with the wrong things. Have you felt that longing?

2. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21 NKJV)

Johnny was investing his treasure in the wrong things. Have you ever made a similar mistake? Where should you be investing your time, money, and effort?

3. Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:16–22 NKJV)

Do you own your possessions or do your possessions own you?