The Evolution of Purpose

I have been reading "Surprised by Joy" by C.S. Lewis and have been struck by how God finds each of us in different ways. There does however seem to be a common thread between us all; we are all seeking purpose or are in a state of distracting ourselves from it (purpose) because we are frightened by it. There seems to be a pyramid of ascension that moves from pleasure to happiness and ultimately to joy. Most of us seem to understand pleasure at a very young age, but the problem with pleasure is that it is most often short lived. Fewer of us experience happiness and those who have experienced it seem to get lost in pursuit of it. But then there is joy. And I don't use the term loosely like so many words in the English language. Joy seems to be something that is given not taken. Joy can only be found in one place and only prolongedly experienced in our eternal existence. Joy is a glimpse into what will come. It lays dormant in our hearts and is the fuel for our engine of purpose. Just to know it exists drives use beyond happiness and pleasure, not that they cannot coexist rather that they become secondary in pursuit. In a general sense I guess you can say that the flesh seeks pleasure, the heart seeks happiness, and the soul seeks joy.

Father for so long my flesh has abated my pursuit of purpose. I ask that you continue to renew in me a purpose that overwhelms my senses. God you are the only source of true joy. Without you I am just wondering in the desert with a thirst that cannot be quenched.