I realized that though I have everything, but everything doesn’t satisfy me? Isn’t that weird?
Earlier this week I began to reflect over the good things of God in my life. I own a home, I have a car, I have some degrees, I get to live in Europe, I have nice clothes, great friends, and I’m totally taken care of. Really, I have a great life, yet there is something missing deep inside of me. Have you ever felt like that? Maybe you’re married, have kids, a home, a job, and everything you thought you needed. Or maybe your waiting for that significant person to come into the picture, and then you’ll have everything. Or maybe you’re like me, and you are taken care of in every area of your life. I realized that though I have everything, but everything doesn’t satisfy me? Isn’t that weird? The world promises that if you gain everything you want, you’ll be happy. However, we all know that is not the case, and in fact is not true at all. Look at the lady at the well that Jesus ran into. She had five husbands, and the guy she was with wasn’t her husband. However, when she met Jesus, she found what she was looking for. He was the move of God in Israel, and He had living water. Jesus really was the answer for the deep longing inside of her. After being around Jesus, her soul was satisfied, and she walked away transformed.
I learned years ago from a friend, when you are hungry, and not even food satisfies you, that is your hunger for God talking. When nothing satisfies you, God will. A moment in His presence will not only satisfy all that you are, but you will not want to leave his presence. I speak from experience, and to feel that hunger this week made me happy. I recognized that pang of spiritual hunger deep inside of me, and I knew there is only One who can fill it. I may have everything I need in this world, but what I really want is God. We were created to be with God, and He put a piece of eternity inside of us. All of us hunger and long for God, no matter how young or old a person is.
King David wrote this in Psalms 42:1-2 (ESV)
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God
I know that the deep parts of who I really am cry out for more of God. Just like our bodies alert us that we need food, our spirit men are hungry for God. Mistakenly, many Christians do not recognize their hunger for God, and continue to fill themselves on other things. They end up sad, broken, frustrated, and empty. That is not the God kind of life Jesus wants for His people. Jesus wants to give us living water that satisfies our souls, and transforms our lives. The real answer is to empty ourselves of us, and ask God to fill us with His presence. It takes being real before God, and telling Him how much we need Him. God likes to be pursued, and when we come after Him, He runs right back to us. Once we’re in His presence, we get a glimpse of His greatness, and the deepest parts of our soul will be satisfied. That is what we really are craving, and His presence is what makes us a whole being.
Things in this world were never meant to satisfy that ache for God inside. God placed it in us, and only He can satisfy. That’s great if I gain the whole world, but if I don’t have Him what have I really gained?
