After visiting the employer’s website, I took the exam and submitted my application. Before I got a response from the company, I found myself online window shopping for things I “needed,” I can’t tell you how much time I spent browsing the Internet for items I thought would make me happy or give me peace, I should have remembered God is enough.
A week later I received a response from the company informing me they decided to go with another candidate. The crazy thing was that I was more dissappointed about not having the things I wanted. The truth is I was more interested in having more things, then actually having extra income.
It’s the age-old truth found in the Bible, man’s heart always wants more, our sinful lusts causes us to burn uncontrollably with desire (Proverbs 27:20.). Christians need to heed to the Holy Spirit, God’s word and the community of believers.
Together, they give us the guidance we need for life instead of constantly pursuing every selfish thing we crave. Man’s heart is insatiable. Jesus told the woman at the well, only the Living water can satisfy her, which is why In God I trust.
Insatiable?
Insatiable is defined as being impossible to satisfy; a quenchless thirst or at unending want. Although we most often associate it with sex or love, the idea is a desire for anything, good or bad that we can't get enough of and it leads to desperation.
King Solomon warned us about mankind’s never-ending thirst for more and warned about constantly chasing things (Proverbs 30:16, Ecclesiastes 5:10.)
As I look around the world and within the church, I see this sad truth played out as everyone pursue their desires, dream big and you too can become a millionaire.
I stand corrected; millionaires are so last century, now everyone wants to be a billionaire and are willing to do anything they can to get there. And Jesus warned that we could gain the whole world and it would do us no good if we sacrificed our soul (Matthew 16:26.) The teaching is true; things can never satisfy the God shaped hole in each of our hearts.
Last year a number of superstars including Kanye West, Justin and Hailey Bieber confessed all of their wealth and possessions never satisfied them and I left them wanting more. Justin even admitted it was t it was the struggles of dealing with fame that led to his drug and drinking addictions.
Bieber sounds a lot like King Solomon who declared that God is placed eternity into man’s heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11.) But, this love was never meant for earthly treasures, this longing was to get man to reach out to his Creator.
King Solomon and Justin Bieber conclude,
• Money doesn’t last and won’t satisfy, it will let you down.
• Alcohol and drug are temporary fixes that only leave us dissappointed.
• FAME makes it harder instead of easier.
• Even sex points back to God.
• Only God can truly satisfy man.
Satisfaction?
Heaven is where our desire will be fulfilled; the dictionary defines satisfaction as, “The fulfillment of one's wishes, expectations, or needs, or the pleasure derived from this.” As believers are called to find our satisfaction in God; once we do, it becomes easier to accept our circumstances. Because God I know You are for me.
This is where we find contentment, finding our pleasure and needs met in and through God frees us from the cares of this world (Psalm 37:3-5, 2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Timothy 6:6-8.)
Contentment brings satisfaction regardless of our circumstances. To me it’s this piece beyond all understanding; knowing my Abba father has got me taking care of and has all I need.
Maybe I’m getting older are just feel lazy, but I find the idea of slaving away and chasing dreams as satisfying as chasing a cold winter wind. Satisfaction is knowing Jesus has broken the chains to my selfish ways.
I think of the sheep in Psalm 23 or a purring cat, I can be completely confident and safe in my Shepherd’s care. Learning to be content goes against our human/fallen nature. But, through the power of Christ, we can overcome the insatiable!
