Fulfillment

The world provides pleasure, Jesus provides fulfillment.

 “Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”. John 4: 13-14 KJV

This is the very heart of the problem that started with Eve.  She was deceived into believing that there was more than just a walk with God in the Garden.  She was told that God was hiding something from her and she would be happy, content and fulfilled if she would only take a bite of the fruit that the serpent was suggesting.

The Marlboro man suggested that if only I would smoke his brand of cigarettes I could ride off into the sunset content and be fulfilled. My life would be smooth sailing.

And so, it has been going on since Eve.  Everywhere I turn it is suggested that I will find contentment and fulfillment and be full of peace and happiness if only I do it the world’s way. I just need to work harder, or smarter and acquire more possessions. I just need to drink more of the world’s water.

We are being consumed by influencers on every social media about what brings happiness and joy.

“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.  Luke 12:15 NIV

In Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Solomon is telling you that he had everything money, wisdom, beauty could obtain and yet he said, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun”. Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV

“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel”. Proverbs 20: 17 NIV

The Serpent pointed out that the fruit from the tree was pleasing to the eye. How could something so beautiful not be good for you? And so, the pull of the world’s pleasures took mankind in.

The prodigal son drank heavily from this lie and woke up to find himself covered in pig dung and eating rotten food. What life he thought was wonderful and pleasing turned very sour.

Jesus says you will always be empty and unsatisfied with anything the world has to offer.

Spiritual fulfillment is a state of inner peace, lasting satisfaction that occurs when your life aligns with God’s will.  It transcends material success, offering a sustained feeling of purpose, wholeness, and connection to something larger than yourself.

You should never desire contentment and fulfillment in this world.  It is not your home!

I only need to keep my eyes on what is above. What brings true fulfillment.

St. Teresa of Avila said: “Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices”.

“Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 1 John 2 15-17 The Message

Today, go stand and look into a mirror, ask yourself where is your treasure?  Am I putting all my effort into what the world considers a healthy, contented, life or am I focused on putting my treasures where they can never be destroyed?

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”. Philippians 4:11 NIV. Rather than depending on material wealth or comfortable living, Paul found deep, unshakeable peace through his faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul knew where to find true fulfillment and happiness for eternity. Are you drawn to short term water that will never quench your thirst or are you drinking from the everlasting cup of Jesus?

Remember it is not about religion; it is about a relationship.

Prayers and love for all.

Larry