I am one of the millions who tuned in to watch the final episode of Lost, the hit ABC TV thriller/drama.  And as most fans of the show already know, it would have been a daunting task to attempt to answer all of the mysteries of six seasons into a two and a half-hour drama.  The fear was that it would be another example of deus ex machina.  And one could argue that literally, that’s exactly what happened.  But I would say that it was more creative and better acted than typical examples of such endings.

However, (spoiler alert if you haven’t seen it) the writers’ answer to the island’s mysteries left me pondering the age old question, “What makes one truly happy?”  For the Lost writers (and for the world-at-large, and maybe even some Christians), death and heaven is a place where old friends, family members, lovers are brought together to enjoy eternity together.  It’s a place where people are smiling and laughing and enjoying what amounts to an extended life here on earth.  The movie Avatar has essentially the same message, strive for the beauty of a different life here because things in this world leaves us wanting.  And I would, in some sense, agree with that idea.  However, the premise for their hope is sorely insufficient.

Augustine, in his Confessions, writes these famous words: “You move us to delight in praising You; for You have formed us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You.”  The Lost writers and James Cameron are right to show us that human beings are always missing something at the core, hungering and craving worth, value, identity, meaning.  It’s the essence of image-bearers of God (Gen 1:26-27).  Our hearts are restless because God has created us for Himself and nothing and no one can satisfy what God has hardwired into every human soul, a love for Him alone.  Media often does a great job of finding all of the replacements (idols) that people find to fill that hole (i.e. sex, drugs, money, fame, companionship, loyalty, friendship, etc.).  But in the end, there is still that longing.  And what is the world’s answer to this final craving and longing?  It’s a heaven designed by man, intended for man, with all of the trappings of man.

In the final episode, when all of the characters who have died are gathered in the ‘church’ (if you noticed, the windows had insignias of almost every major religion), the people are so happy because they have finally accepted their death and in doing so, they now are reconciled to one another, in the fellowship of one another.  In other words, true happiness and joy is found in the company of earthly companions.  And as I watched that scene, I felt both nostalgic happiness and deep emptiness.  I was happy for these characters but realized that it was no different than most series endings that was deus ex machinesque: It was all a [pipe] dream.

There is no true joy and eternal happiness without the Creator.  Our ultimate joy does not come in fellowship with one another, but with the Creator alone.  And from Him, then emanates joy to one another.  Jesus paved the way so that we can have fellowship with the Father according to Heb 10:19-22: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”  Paul tells us in Romans 5:2 that “through him [Christ] we have also obtained access [with the Father] by faith.”  And ultimate pleasure cannot come from other people, but only from God Himself: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).And then from this great love found through Christ, THEN we have a sweet fellowship with others according to John: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

Finding eternal joy in the fellowship of others apart from the Triune God is not joyous at all.  Only He can grant us final rest.  And without Him, there would be no smiles, no laughter, no unending joy.  In fact, there would no heaven at all.  It’s the ultimate mistake that is constantly committed by people, even well-intentioned Christians: seeking fellowship with others before seeking fellowship with God through Christ, which is probably one reason why so many Christians move from church to church.  They are looking for satisfaction in people, rather than God Himself.  And so their journey will be ultimately fruitless, much like the characters of Lost.

The writers of Lost got one part of the story right.  People are lost and lacking and empty in this world.  But they do not realize how lost they really are without the only One who truly seeks and saves the lost (Luke 19:10).