Travel. Politics. Relationships. Money. These topics have something in common. I’ll call it the romance of restlessness, a deep, personal desire for something better, more, or different. My list here includes only a few objects of restlessness.
George Bailey, the protagonist in the film, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” is restless for travel. To him, the most exciting sounds in the world are anchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles. Upon high school graduation, he wants a suitcase big enough for “a thousand and one nights.” To his father’s offer of a job, his clumsy response is, “I couldn’t face being cooped up for the rest of my life in a shabby little office.”
Bailey is driven to see the world. His fictional passion is no match for the real, heated rhetoric about politics and the future of our country. Citizens are restless to say the least, and all sides agree much is at stake. Restless people are romanced by the prospect of change in the economy, as well as their careers or personal affairs.
We see restlessness in the Bible. The woman at the well was clearly discontented with her five previous husbands. She mentioned the coming Messiah. Jesus replied, “I who speak to you am He,” as He offered living water. A young man unfulfilled by his wealth and piety was right to ask Jesus about eternal life. Even Pilate, the governor who had access to Roman learning and Greek philosophy, asked Jesus a restless question, “What is truth?” Saul was so restless as to be angry, chasing and persecuting Christians even in foreign cities. But Jesus showed him the way to peace on the road to Damascus.
In Confessions St. Augustine writes, “Thou hast made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in thee.” This calls to mind Jesus’ promise, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). St. Augustine continues: “Where do you go along these rugged paths? Why then will you wander farther and farther in these difficult and toilsome ways? There is no rest where you seek it.” He knew only too well. The romance of a hedonistic lifestyle left him restless until he found his peace in Christ.
The romance of restlessness for something new, something different, demands a response. Answer with new places, the politics of change, human relationships, or more wealth, and you will never satisfy your deepest longing. Those are among the siren calls of vain things that charm you most. You are made to respond to your Creator and Savior who loves you and calls to your heart. As the old hymn says, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”