Dave Collins was frustrated and angry! He had decided on pizza for dinner and called one of the neighborhood pizza restaurants with his customary order of a jumbo deluxe. He was told it would be ready in 30 minutes.

When he arrived, his mouth watering in anticipation of his favorite dish, he was told that his order was never received. For the next several minutes, Dave seared the young waiter with a heated commentary on the poor service, topping it off with a threat never to return to that establishment.

On his way home, Dave stopped at another pizza place nearby and ordered his jumbo deluxe pizza.

“That’s funny,” the clerk said. “You’re the second person named Dave to order this same pizza tonight. The other guy called his order in about 45 minutes ago, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to show.”

Oops! Dave went home to enjoy a big slice of humble pie with his pizza. He had gone to the wrong place to get what he wanted.

We do that every day. We all want love, closeness and commitment, but some try to pick it up in bars, clandestine affairs or pornography. And they find themselves growing old alone.

We all want lasting joy, but some look for it in momentary drug-induced highs. It feels good for a while, but the end is misery.

We need real solutions for our problems, but some try instead to just dull the pain with alcohol. When the hangover wears off, the original problems are still there, and maybe some new ones, too.

We long for our lives to have genuine meaning and purpose, but we may pursue it in 80-hour work weeks doing a job that no one will remember a few years from now. The money buys plenty of toys, but we tire of them quickly.

The Master Chef has cooked up a life made just for you — one that will satisfy your every longing. Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

If we aren’t getting what we want, maybe we’re going to the wrong restaurant. Don’t get mad. Just go to the only One who can fill your order.

Your order is ready. It has your name on it. Have you picked it up yet?

Keith Wishum is minister, Williams Road Church, Americus.