Singer Stacie Oricco echoed the following words; “I've got it all, but I feel so deprived I go up, I come down and I'm emptier inside. Tell me what is this thing that I feel like I'm missing and why can't I let go . . .” Then she moves on to belt out the chorus “there's gotta be more to life... than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me; cause the more that I'm... tripping out thinking there must be more to life. Well it's life, but I'm sure... there's gotta be more than wanting more. . .”

The fourth century theologian and philosopher Saint Augustine, long ago spoke about the restlessness of the human soul. According to Augustine the human soul is simple and immortal. This soul has three functions, being, understanding and loving. These three functions correspond to the three faculties of the human self-intellective memory, intelligence and will. The primary place among these three faculties is given to the will. It is in this will that choice resides. But it is in this will that human freedom is fully embraced. According to Augustine even with the freedom of the will the soul is restless. Humanity at the core is always searching for significance and meaning. This search can lead to futility, violence, and at the same time achieve the sublime in creativity and innovations. The reality, however, is that, this will has to be nurtured and trained to focus on the sublime.

Just in the last few weeks we have heard and seen the dark side of the human will in the Island of Jamaica. Violence and barbarism seem to have ceased the day. The beauty and industry of a nation have been held captive to the unbridled freedom of the will to choose self- interest at any cost. Looming even larger than violence, however, is the broader cultural malaise, the seeming lack of meaning many young Jamaicans find in their lives. This is not unique to Jamaica. We see such violence everywhere. Postmodern man is schizophrenic, or better, deeply cross-purposed and very far from settling into a comfortable unbelief. At the heart of the malaise is the question asked by the 1960’s singer Peggy Lee “Is that all there is? It further captures the refrain of Oricco “there’s gotta be more to life.”

Ted Sloan in his 1996 work, What is the problem with modernity asks the troubling question “Why do modern societies have such a hard time producing adults capable of intimacy, work, enjoyment, and ethical living? Why is it that signs of damaged life are so prevalent?" We have cyberspace and virtual reality, instant computerized communication in the global village; and yet have we ever felt so impoverished and isolated? The truth is we can agree with Anthropologist David Howes that if we do not 'come to our senses' soon, we will have permanently forfeited the chance of constructing any meaningful alternatives to the pseudo-existence which passes for life in our current Civilization.

The bible is clear that the heart is deceitful above all. In fact when the bible speaks about the heart it refers to the seat of passion and understanding. It is this part of human nature that must be trained to seek the sublime over the proscribed. It is this part of humanity that must be shaped to seek rest in the divine, instead of allowing such restlessness to lead to acts of brutality and incendiary behavior. There’s got to be more to humanity than choosing path ways that say might is always right, and power equals justice, or violence brings peace. If we truly are species, fairer than any, then our intelligence should lead to resolving problems through civilized means. In the end Augustine’s sentiments on human will must be balanced with Plato’s, who sees the rational man as the tamer of both will and emotions. I would further add that all three; the rational man, the willful man and the emotional man must seek solace and peace in a holy God.

Dr. Owen Facey, is Pastor of Genesis Christian Center in Tamarac (note our new worship address 6501 W. Oakland Park Blvd- Diamante’s Banquet Facility is our new home.) www.iamsharperorg.