Dear Pastor,

I am a 34-years old Jamaican living in the United States and I need your advice. I came from humble beginnings and fell into the statistics of having a child at a young age (20 yrs). I have passed through the worst and realised that in order to make it here in the States, I must prepare myself to compete with my peers to grow.

My problem is this. I went back to school and received a degree. I have a comfortable job and I continue to pursue professional growth. However, despite all that I know that I have accomplished, I am not happy. I buy nice clothes, take trips, treat myself to whatever I desire, but I am just not happy. I can't seem to maintain a relationship and that leaves me to question myself constantly. I am at the point where after 18 years away from Jamaica, I am making plans to return home. I am used to a large family and I have five relatives including my two children here in the States.

What is wrong with me?

S. M., Florida, USA

Dear S. M.,

May I remind you that true and lasting happiness does not come to a man who has a good woman in his life or to a woman who has a loving and hardworking man. No, it doesn't work that way. True and lasting relationship is a gift from God. It comes to a person when he/she has had a conversion experience. Anyone who accepts Jesus as his/her Saviour, repents of his sins and totally surrenders his/her life to Christ, experiences happiness (joy) that no relationship can give.

Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who embraces Him as Saviour and Lord. The Holy Spirit gives inner peace and assures him/her that he/she is not alone.

Evidently, you have done well in material things, but inner peace you do not know. I invite you to look to Jesus. He will fill the void in your life. Read John 4 and see what Jesus did for the woman at the well and ask him to do the same for you.

Pray, read the Bible and go to church. Life will become much more meaningful.

Pastor