Over the course of the past three months I have found myself unsatisfied. Unsatisfied with what I am doing, unsatisfied with the way I’m living, unsatisfied with the consistent lack of community…
I feel like though we all hit these points in our lives where we are unsatisfied with ourselves, the life we are living, our job, or the last conversation we just had. So, how do we go about in today’s culture with satisfaction without getting consumed by the standards of living what American culture tells us? When I pause though and ask myself again I realize, am I really unsatisfied or am I just hungry for something different? Or is it both?
For the past year I have found myself so very satisfied with all that I was doing while on the World Race and yet, now I find myself asking, does it really have to be different? What I mean by this is do I really have to be in a different country to feel satisfied? Why can’t I be good right where I’m at? I believe that its because I have had my eyes opened to so much this past year and returned to a place where all that matters is “the next best thing” that it hurts my heart to see just how dead America really is.
I walk around at my job (lifeguarding) and I see so many people with no joy in them, no hope. I go into the next coffee shop to do some quiet time and again see no life come from people; sure they may put on a good facade but in their eyes I see nothing, no sparkle, no life, just a fog. As C.S. Lewis put it “If I find myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” And I feel like this is so true for so many of us, we see that there is something so much more satisfying than the things of this world.
I have begun asking myself questions like, do I recognize the foolishness of seeking fulfillment outside of Him? Do I understand that it’s impossible to please God in any way other than whole hearted surrender? Do I grasp the beauty and deep joy of walking in genuine intimacy with God, our holy Father and Friend? Do I want to see God more than I desire security? All are tough questions, of course I want to have a resounding YES to all of them yet I find that its hard because when I say “yes” then I loose control of my life. Yet that’s the point, to lose control of your life to allow God to have it.
“For whoever would save his life would lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:24).
Again I ask the question of how do we become satisfied then in an unsatisfied world? I believe it starts with humility to say “I need your strength Lord, not my own”, to say “Your will be done, not mine.” Then when you are able to humble yourself I think then you are able to come to the Lord fully and say “I am wrong, forgive me, heal me and mold me and shape me into who you want me to be, I am your willing vessel.” Lastly is to then make your life your worship, meaning in all that you do, do it for the Lord with an attitude of worship and thanksgiving.
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:6-8)
“Therefore brothers, in view of God’s mercy offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God’s will, His good pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).
Ultimately when you are feeling like you need something more, find more of Jesus in what you are doing. I want you to know (and a reminder for myself) that you do not have to be in a jungle, a foreign country, or even outside of your home town to do the work of the Lord, He has you and me right where we are needed for today. Because your work is your worship and it is worth everything to the Papa and I think that’s very satisfying!
Not satisfied watch this video for more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m06DYIAeCtU&index=2&list=PL17BA74CCCF26EEB8
