Have you ever felt unsatisfied, let down, even inexplicably empty after you got what you thought would make you happy?

You’re not alone. This perplexing feeling has been known to strike even the most accomplished and wealthy people. In fact, King Solomon had it all—a kingdom, untold wealth, and profound wisdom—yet reflecting on his life, he concluded there was nothing new under the sun, and everything was vanity.

It’s as if something compels us to find the elusive missing piece that would bring lasting satisfaction and fulfillment. Though we may pursue successful careers, meaningful relationships, material possessions, even fun and entertainment, nothing cures that mysterious, empty feeling deep inside. Why do we feel this way? It turns out that to have this sensation is to be human.

The Bible tells us God created us in a certain way. He made us with a physical body, the visible part of our being that enables us to contact the material world. God also made us with a soul, an inward part that experiences things in the psychological realm, such as thoughts and emotions. Most of us are aware of these two parts of our being, yet the Bible reveals there’s even more to us than this.

First Thessalonians 5:23 says, “May your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete.” This tells us that besides a body and a soul, God made every human being with a third part: a spirit. This God-designed third part enables us to contact and receive God. Since God created our spirit to contain Him, without Him our deepest part is empty, and we can never be fully satisfied.

The famous French mathematician Blaise Pascal put it this way: “The infinite abyss in man can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself.” Without God, true satisfaction eludes us; only God can satisfy the longing of our third part. When He comes into our spirit, He fills our deep emptiness with Himself. He becomes our real enjoyment, wealth, and meaning, and we’re finally and lastingly satisfied by the eternal, divine life of God.

God took some monumental steps to be able to enter our spirit. He became a man named Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect human life and then died to take away our sins. He was buried, and then He rose from the dead. When He resurrected, He became a life-giving Spirit, available anywhere to anyone.

Now He can live in you. He’s waiting for you to believe in Him and receive Him. You can be filled with God in your third part, your spirit, right now. Just turn your heart to God and pray:

“Lord Jesus, I confess I’m a sinner. Forgive me of all my sins. I believe in You. Thank You for dying for me. Come into my spirit and fill my emptiness with Yourself. I receive You. Thank You, Lord. Amen.”