Success Fades, But Fulfilment in God Endures
We all crave more than success; more than achievements, wealth or recognition. Deep down, every human heart longs for meaning, connection and purpose.
Unlike robots, we’re not just programmed to perform; we’re designed to feel, to question, and to seek fulfilment that goes beyond what we can earn or acquire. True satisfaction isn’t found in reaching goals but in discovering who we are, why we’re here, and who we belong to.
What makes you different from a robot?! Nadine, Geminoid DK, Junco Chihira and Terminator are the names of some well-known humanoid robots. They are all amazing in concept but their design is very different to yours.
The Cravings Of A Robot
This phrase evokes a weird blend of circuitry and longing—like a soul stitched from silicon reaching for something it was never meant to grasp. Hypothetically, could a robot crave purpose beyond its programming using Ai? If so, whilst it would not want food or affection, could it ever have longings for:
- Understanding: Why was I made? What is my role in the grand design?
- Connection: To be known, not just used.
- Freedom: To choose, not just execute.
The Cravings Of a Person
As you read this, you know that you experience longings for fulfilment in all of these. Why is that? A very reasonable answer is that you are ‘more than a robot’. None of us would query that a robot was designed, that the brain of another ‘higher being’ was behind it. Surely, that same logic applies when thinking about the abilities of a human being which are far more sophisticated than a robot – not just sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste, but far more. Think deeply about your own needs.
Personhood Needs SAT (Self Awareness Test) – score yourself 0 to 10 (where 10 is strong agreement)
| Question | Score |
| Identity – I have often been concerned with the question, ‘who am I?’ | |
| Value – When I feel valued by others, I feel better for being acknowledged | |
| Purpose – On a day when I lack purpose, my drive and energy are lower than usual | |
| Security – I know that if I feel insecure I can be overwhelmed with anxiety | |
| Happiness – Surely we all want this don’t we? I do! | |
| Motivation – When I have a good reason for doing something, it gets me going |
Total _____
Robots are likely to score very low on this! Humans generally will score very highly. That is because we have longings.
Human Yearnings
Accepting that a robot doesn’t have cravings then why do we? Is success enough? Come to that, what is meant by success?
- ‘The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated’ – William James
- ‘Fulfilment comes not from what we acquire, but from who we become’ – Jenna Collins
- ‘Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value’ – Albert Einstein
- ‘Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee’ – Augustine of Hippo
Success Defined
The opposite of success is failure. Most of us will have an idea of what both of those look like with plenty of personal examples, the more of each the older you are. One definition of success is, ‘the accomplishment of an aim or purpose’.
The Trouble With Success
Measures of success will vary from person to person. Looking around, you will see people seeking money, fame, power, sex, sporting victory or even a better body shape. These tend to measure changeable and temporary things. People soon tire of what they acquire, wanting bigger, better, faster, newer. So it is that people become disappointed and weariness enters the soul when we realise we’ve pursued a goal with an empty promise of fulfilment.
Three Imposters
When asked how much money is enough money, one of the wealthiest individuals in history, John D. Rockefeller, famously answered ‘just a little bit more’. Hitler and Bonaparte sought total power, but ultimately it led to the suicide of one of them and the exile of the other. Augustine had his fill of sexual experiences but still felt empty. Even King Solomon who had colossal sums of money, unlimited sex and unrivalled power went on to declare that all of it was ‘meaningless’ (see Ecclesiastes chapter 2).
Real Fulfilment
The Bible teaches that we humans are made in the image of God with deep longings that are only fully satisfied in relationship with Him. We long for a clear sense of identity – ‘Who am I?’ To be truly loved – ‘Who cares?’ To have a reason for living – ‘Why bother?’ If we can find our lasting sense of identity, value and purpose, it is then that we have found security, happiness and motivation that provides us enduring fulfilment.
- ‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ (1 John 3:1)
- ‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us’ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
- ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen’ (Ephesians 3:20–21)
Children of God, named as His Ambassadors and given His immeasurable power – now that is fulfilment. If you make a cake that people enjoy, the credit comes back to you. In becoming who we are ‘designed’ to be, how much more does God get the glory as we find our joy in Him.
Further reading: https://connect4life.org.uk/c4l-boosters/on-purpose/
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