Satisfied?

 "Jesus Satisfies" was a popular saying when I first came to know Him in the late 70's. I saw it on bumper stickers and heard it in contemporary Christian songs of that time. The problem was that it didn't seem to be true in the lives of so many who claimed to be His followers....including mine. I don't believe it is so with me now, but I do believe it remains true for so many in the church. Why do so many of us who profess to be followers of the Author of Life live such decidedly unsatisfying lives?

I've heard it said that we live in a "culture of dissatisfaction." No matter where we are in our lives, we feel we need more, we need better. Good is not good enough, whether it's a job, marriage, or ministry. It's true that we need to strive for excellence, but this is not a problem of quality, it's a problem of the heart. Our hearts, mine and yours. It's a question of what it is that fills our heart. They're going to be filled with something. Will it be His Life and Spirit or that which is neither? Jesus can't fill a heart that longs for that which isn't of Him and never will be.

We need to hear the words of Isaiah 44:20, "The poor deluded fool feeds on ashes. He's trusting in something that can give Him no help at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to say, 'Is this thing, this idol that I'm holding in my hand a lie?' " What might it be that you hold in your hand today? Holding with all your might.
The perfect job, the great relationship, the perfect marriage and children. A ministry that is noticed and that gets you noticed. If such things fill our hearts then our hearts will never know satisfaction. They weren't designed by Him that they should. They were designed to find their satisfaction and fulfillment in Him alone. To have that means releasing our death-grip on the things we think will. They may bring us into some kind of life, but it will never be His life. We find our freedom when we dare to ask if what we're holding so tightly is really just an idol and a lie. 

It can be so hard to release lies and idols we have cherished for so long. They always hold out the promise of their bringing us the longing we crave, but it's a promise leading only to destruction. It only leads to an ever deepening dissatisfaction. Deeper unrest, deeper disappointment, and finally, total despair. 

What lie might you be holding to today? It may have started as a fresh and wonderful desire, but as time passes, you find it's become an obsession. One leading you further and further from Him. Ever farther away from the true satisfaction of the soul He created you for. He offers it now. He reaches for your hand, but to lay hold of Him you must release the lie you've been holding so tightly. It's a frightening step, I know. Will you do it? Will you let go of the lie?.......Jesus satisfies. Does He satisfy you?

Blessings,
Pastor O