The Search for Satisfaction: Looking for Something New Under the Sun

By David H. McKinley

Book Overview

We live in constant search mode looking for purpose and meaning, trying to find something, anything, that might satisfy the deep longings of our heart. Yet this search is nothing new. Even the wisest man who ever lived struggled with these same issues finding that everything in life was meaningless, a "chasing after the wind."

Follow Solomon's search through a fascinating study of Ecclesiastes as in the depths of his despair he discovers that only the God who made the sun can offer real and lasting results under it. Satisfaction guaranteed.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849912008
• ISBN13: 9780849912009
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Changed My Life

This book changed my life. As we all go throughout a journey of life searching for which direction to go, McKinley opened my eyes as to how to have true satisfaction. His comparison of our searches on search engines to Solomon's search provides clarity and application. This was a powerful book in my life...pick up a copy of it today!

Find it in "The Search"

Where can we find satisfaction? When life happens, what do we do? Where do we turn? Have you ever experienced the death of a loved one, disappointments, or a life disaster? Are you looking for purpose and meaning in those events that often make us disillusioned or disassociated; and often never finding anything? Author David McKinley takes his readers through areas and issues of real-life that most writers never touch. And in the end, he directs his readers to a Source that most writers never point to. If you are looking for true satisfaction in your life, this book is a must read. You will begin a search that touches on life, when it seems at its lowest point, and how this search will result in true satisfaction in your own life. Whether you are going in, right in the middle, or just coming out of search mode, trust me, this book will be a great help.

A better read than Warren's Purpose Driven Life

This is the first book written by Prestonwood Baptist Church teaching pastor Dr. David McKinley. The Search for Satisfaction is a modern guide to the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, penned by the wisest man in history - King Solomon. Just as King Solomon searched for meaning and significance in all corners of the world, so too are many people today searching for purpose and meaning in every facet of life save one - Jesus Christ. McKinley addresses the modern world's approach to happiness and significance and knocks down each and every argument that either avoids the issue or clouds it with worldly wisdom opposed to Biblical truth and the reality of life. As McKinley knocks down the world's wisdom in comparison with God's truth, he also notes that many of the things that the world says are the central aspects of life are, indeed, important...just not of central importance as compared to a person's standing and relationship with God. But friends, family, food, hard work, and just the enjoyment of each day take on a whole new meaning when given a proper perspective and a proper purpose to a servant of the Lord. McKinley avoids the pitfall of stating that this fallen world is evil; to the contrary, this world was created by God and is being redeemed by Him through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ and the saints who have been called to serve as His ambassadors. So, each day, each life, each activity carries meaning and significance in the life of a follower of Christ and McKinley reminds the believer to live life in such a manner as to be worthy of our calling. In my opinion, the primary audience for this book is either a person who is not a believer, but is looking for purpose and meaning in life, or the proverbial "carnal" Christian who is far too comfortable with the world and is seeking affirmation from others instead of God. The book is short, easy-to-read and very contemporary with its language and examples - in addition, the examples are very personal as David draws much wisdom from his own experiences and shares many of his life lessons with the reader.

Original, insightful and introspective writing

Opening with a quote from Shakespeare's dire Macbeth may provide readers with some insight as to the temper and tone of this remarkably fresh and deeply insightful text on living life from an inward, wisely introspective stance. Author David McKinley does a superb job of presenting an evenly paced yet riveting treatise on understanding what drives men and women to seek satisfaction. Taking in-depth looks at the book of Ecclesiastes and its author, King Solomon, interested readers will find themselves studying each concise chapter, digesting its contents and then subsequently delving within their own hearts and minds for life's solutions to most common struggles --- that of meaning, contentment and purpose. The author very nicely establishes a mental picture of how much time modern-day individuals waste on their computers doing daily "searches" while frequently coming up with nothing to show for their efforts. Day after day, writes McKinley, people "...boot up, log on, select an engine, and start a search" and walk away frustrated, disappointed and wishing they had a better plan. So it is with life, and the church is no exception. McKinley talks about those nettlesome "itches" that just cannot be scratched. When life becomes an endless, aimless quest for satisfaction, most people, he says, will become skeptical, cynical, fearful and doubtful. Not a pretty picture. So what is the answer? McKinley warms to his topic by first demystifying the myths of a satisfied life. Using Solomon's "search engine," life travelers will discover similar dead ends. To begin, the search for "progress" has not resulted in peace; rather increased knowledge has increased vulnerability. Next, "excess" is at best a short-term, short-lived state of satisfaction. Third, the search for "success" or accomplishments alone results in achingly cavernous inner-spaces. Fourth, "possessions" leave people only wanting more. Finally, "impression" fails as well; while a good name is a "good thing," it isn't enough to satisfy the need for significance. As far as Solomon was concerned, "No matches found" was the bottom line in his search for satisfaction. Lest weary travelers be tempted to give up, McKinley urges Christians to stay at the task long enough to discover what Solomon eventually did figure out. There is reason to live and it is most simply found when "...we acknowledge our Creator and our desperate need of a relationship with Him." As believers, make God their focal point instead of subscribing to Solomon's ancient version of SPAM: sex, power, achievement and money; life becomes much more than an in-vain rush for personal actualization experienced at any and every level. McKinley tells men and women to develop their reasons for believing in God first and foremost, then grab hold of the Bible for all its worth as the foundation for living with hope and purpose, and lastly, invest the only life given to each person by honoring God and "living beyond yourself." --- Review