Having It All

I was shocked when I read the headlines last week of Kate Spade taking her own life. Not that I know her, her state of life or health, but from an outsider looking in she had it all. She had fame, success, wealth, beauty and the list goes on. She had everything that our culture defines as bringing happiness. Everything that so many spend their entire life trying to have a small taste of.

How could one not be happy, all of the standards were met. Many dream and would give almost anything for the fame and wealth she had acquired. Judging by the standards of our culture what could be missing. She had built an empire.

I don’t own any Kate Spade merchandise, but I enjoy looking at her classy yet stylish purses to her statement and fashionable accessories. I enjoy beautiful things, from clothing, accessories to home decor. I like looking at the latest fashion or dreaming up new ways to turn my home into something pinterest worthy.

Sometimes I find myself falling into the materialism we are bombarded with. Wondering if my shoes from last summer are too dated or if my blouse is looking drab. Perhaps if I just had a new purse, new phone, new shoes. Thinking life would be easier if we just had a bigger house. If I don’t catch myself it is left consuming my thoughts. All of it racing around in my mind and becoming a god, causing me to lose focus.

What our culture offers isn’t enough. We chase after the next, the newest and the best, only left feeling unsettled. Perhaps for a moment it brings us happiness, but the happiness is fleeting. When the short lived high wears off we are left only wanting more and simply start the cycle all over again.

So many people walk around unhappy without true joy. Thinking that someday when they have what they want then and only then will they experience happiness. In our society materialism has become a god.  A god we are grasping at, trying to earn only to have it slip through our fingers time and time again. A god we hope will bring joy to our lives.

We all have a yearning. A yearning for the good, the true and the beautiful. As much as we seek worldly gains to fill us only the God who made us can satisfy our longings. The God who is love will bring us true joy that will not be shaken by trends, wealth and fame.

Our hearts are restless until they rest in you. – St. Augustine