It has been quite a long while since my last post. But to update on my life I am now a college graduate, a Licensed Social Worker, and have my first full time job at a group home for youth. I'm writing today because of how much I adored the sermon at my church a few hours ago (which I only get to go to once in a blue moon because of my not so norm work schedule).
This sermon discussed finding full satisfaction in life. Which, if you are a Christian, is something that is most likely discussed around and around in bible studies, or from those you look up to spiritually, and friends etc. It really hit home for me today as I am in a very amazing, changing, heart aching, confusing, and adventurous stage in my life as a young adult. I can basically go any path I want from here, nothing holding me back, no family I have to be raising etc. I realize how guilty I am of looking for satisfaction in other things besides Jesus, as we all are. I look for it in the success of my job, my abilities to do my work well,in my relationships with friends, in things I can now purchase (because I have an income -sorta), my physical health with working out and eating well, and just in the ins and outs of everyday living. Although it is not wrong to have these things in my life, and participate in them to feel a sense of purpose and well-being, BUT they cannot be what I turn to for my ultimate satisfaction in life. I feel I have been attempting to be more spiritually involved now that school isn't taking up most of my time, but when I really look at situations in my life I see that I'm not always turning to God whatever my circumstance. I sometimes look at the success of my day, or how productive I've been equal how satisfied I am with myself. I humbly admit that no matter how well my work day went, or if I'm having trouble in my relationships at home that Jesus will ultimately be what truly satisfies me. I believe it is true that I can feel completely whole even when my emotions are churning and my life seems to be in shambles if I look to something other than myself and the things this world tells me will fill me.
I'm writing this as a reminder to myself, but also to possibly inspire others to look within themselves. If you are struggling with purpose, if your life isn't going the way you want, if the little things that go wrong during the day instantly turn your thoughts to "my whole day is ruined", then I challenge you, Christian or non-Christian, to think maybe there is something bigger out there. Every single thing that we human beings turn to in this world for happiness and satisfaction is temporary. Everything we turn to for satisfaction like money, sex, possessions, family relationships, significant others, only satisfy us to a point and also hurt us. In fact, it is not even Biblical that we are promised happiness in this life, but we are promised everlasting joy, and peace of mind in our hearts when we turn to Jesus. My pastor mentioned today that God created us to NOT be able to be completely satisfied in this world BECAUSE He wants us to turn to Him, and truly experience satisfaction that has no end through Him.
The sermon shared this verse from John regarding a story of an outcast Samaritan woman getting water at a well (it was very against culture for Jews to speak to Samaritans, but Jesus is all about breaking cultural norms):
John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty [water from the well] again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Philippians 4:11-13
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S. Lewis
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