Some
people careen through life, fulfilling their every desire and refusing
themselves no pleasure. They love their vocation and find temporary fulfillment
in it. Amassing worldly possessions becomes a habit.
Having
a string of different romantic encounters adds a spark to their need for
conquest. Yet, at the end of their life, they survey the product of their hard
work and realize that after chasing the wind, they gained nothing under the sun
(Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).
They
regret most of their decisions and have a list of things they wish they had
done differently. Feeling like their life was actually meaningless, fleeting
and futile, they take many regrets to the grave (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
Glaring
missing pieces of their goals still bother them, because worldly pursuits were
never easily accomplished or very satisfying. Most of them were vain and empty.
Can you relate to any of these feelings?
Only
our pursuit of God supplies us with lasting pleasures. Solomon, who traveled
the world, discovered what the Psalmist realized on the hillside watching
sheep. God's plans for us and presence in us engulf our soul with His love, joy
and peace (Psalm 16:11).
Seeking
God first with our life provides us with fulfillment in every area. He opens
doors for us that no one can close, supplies all of our needs with His glorious
riches, and never ever leaves or forsakes us.
His
first order of business for us in His Kingdom is that we allow Him to make us
complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). Then His Spirit teaches us His Word so
that we are grounded in His truth. Unity with Him allows His Spirit to fill us,
to lead us and to instruct us.
Prayer:
Father
God, our life is like a breath on a cold winter's day; it is like a fleeting
shadow (Psalm 144:4). There is nothing and no one who fulfills us like You do.
Teach us to value eternal treasures and to seek Your will for our lives each
and every day. Help us to make You the focus of our life, and to enhance all of
our relationships through your wisdom and love.
Even
as a single person, we are not "half" a person when we have You
abiding within us. In order to find fulfillment, we do not need anything or
anyone but You. Remind us that You provide all of our needs from Your glorious
riches when we call on You to supply them. We are truly complete in You
(Colossians 2:10).
Thought
for the Day:
Serving
God together as His body is the most fulfilling aspect of any relationship; it
bonds us in His love and provides us with opportunities to shine with the light
of Christ within us.
