Tim Keller on Reordering Loves and Finding Ultimate Satisfaction

In a reflection on the nature of human desire, the late Tim Keller explores why earthly experiences often fail to provide complete satisfaction. Drawing on C.S. Lewis’s argument in Mere Christianity, the author suggests that persistent, unmet longings serve as a clue that humans were created for a reality beyond this world. Rather than viewing these feelings as a curse, the teaching frames them as an invitation to seek a deeper purpose.

Keller posits that human discontent stems from disordered loves rather than the intensity of those loves. He argues that the Christian perspective is not to detach from worldly things, but to prioritize God above all else. By placing God at the center, other loves—such as career or family—can be rightly ordered. The author warns that when secondary goods are elevated to the status of a god, they inevitably lead to imbalance and disappointment. Ultimately, the teaching encourages believers to reorder their affections, ensuring that their love for God remains the foundation for all other relationships and pursuits.