“Everyone has a God-shaped hole in his heart.” We’ve probably all heard someone say this, but I at least haven’t thought too hard about it, until now.

The phrase is traced back to Blaise Pascal: 

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself[.]” ― Blaise Pascal, Pensées

In laymen’s, the idea is that everyone needs God to find happiness (rather, joy) but often tries anything and everything but God to find it. There’s a void in each soul that cannot be filled by anything or anyone but God Himself.

Our shortened, modernized phrase “God-shaped hole in the heart” has its merit, but as I read the original quote, the idea expanded my worldview in a way I did not expect it to.

When was the last time you stargazed? Looked up at the heavens that were created “by the word of the LORD” and rested in the unfathomable greatness of our Creator? For God is so big and terrifyingly awesome that both the vast space above and the minute dust specks were created, in more detail than we can compute, by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3). And instead of with words (powerful as they are), He created us with His hands and breath, with the intent that we might willingly joy in Him for ever.

The only One with the power to create something (all things) from nothing is infinite in dimensions: He created dimensions and therefore is greater than dimensions. 

If, to receive, hold, and exhibit joy, we must have God fill an abyss inside us, then the abyss must be infinite as well; great as our world is, it is finite, and therefore could never fill an infinite void!

Our souls are infinite (they will last for ever); they are infinitely empty without the Holy Spirit’s indwelling: so they are infinitely full and overflowing with the source of Joy indwelling.

So we understand what it would be to be cast into the Lake of Fire: infinity without the One we were created to crave, glorify, and enjoy for ever.

And so we understand what it is to be ushered into Heaven: infinity with the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. 

And so we live, as Christians, before Heaven: with that breathtaking abyss nowhere to be found, because Christ died so that we could live in the Spirit and follow the Father. And as we grow to deepen our relationship with God, we will only unearth new marvels of His greatness! We have infinite joy, because He, the Infinite God, is Joy; and infinite grace, for He is Grace; and Mercy; and Peace… 

There is no other way to acquire these things (unless a fleeting, marred image of them) through our own devices, or through the world’s version of wisdom, or through the devil’s twistings. These are all finite. God is greater, and He loves us enough to live a finite life and die a finite death so we could live infinitely with Him and avoid infinite separation from Him. 

Will you glory in our all-in-all, infinite God with me?

“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

You can have all this world: give me Jesus. ― Anonymous spiritual

I’ll see you along the Way!

–Elliyah Davis Turner