I spent my Thanksgiving this year on
the island of Zanzibar. It is an Island off the coast of Tanzania in
the Indian Ocean. This place is truly paradise. Water as clear as you
can imagine and the sand so white it looked like snow.
I enjoyed a relaxing
day at the beach, snorkeling in coral reefs, AC for the first time in 3
months, and my own real bed. I had a hot shower and I sat on the
beach with the sun setting, toes in the cool white sand, and
surrounded by great company. I feasted on fresh shrimp and pineapple
juice. It was wonderful. (Granted I wish I could have been home-if
you have to spend it away from family this is your next best option)
But I had a thought earlier that day
when I was getting a hour massage on the beach for ten dollars. I
started thinking how none of these things was bringing me true contentment.
My flesh enjoys good food, being clean, and the beauty around me…it
enjoys the comforts of this world, but it adds nothing to my spirit.
I was left craving something more. Something resounded that this
paradise wasn’t fulfillment.
I know I was craving time with my God.
I was desiring more of Him. This trip has been teaching me that. My
life has been teaching me that.
I remember last summer I fulfilled my
lifelong dream of going to Italy. And as I stood outside in the
gorgeous courtyard of St. Peter’s eating gelato, I remember a pang
welled up inside my spirit. I felt something missing. In terms of
this world I should have been content. I mean gosh-i’m a pretty
blessed individual…but I still felt a longing for something more.
So I’m watching the stars come out,
eating dinner by candlelight, feeling so grateful that I have the
opportunity to travel around the world and especially grateful I had
a little extra money to visit Zanzibar-but I know that I know that I
know in my heart of hearts that no location, no amount of great food,
no comforts like hot showers, AC, or number of dollars in my bank
account, will bring me true contentment. Contentment does not dwell
with in the things of this world.
Now- i’m not so holy that I didn’t
thoroughly enjoy my beach vacation…but I wouldn’t be content there
for long. The satisfaction this world offers is shallow…I’ve done
traveling, I’ve eaten great food, I’ve even been in love…and while
these things are good and I think God wants us to enjoy these
things-they are worthless apart from God. And God has plans and purpose for me in this world that have nothing to do with my comfort and everything to do with His glory.
So I have truly learned “…there is
great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into
the world and we cannot take anything out of the world.” 1 Tim 6:6-7
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And
there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my
heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion
forever. But for me it is good to be near God…” Psalm 73: 25-26,
28
It’s such a beautiful realization…what freedom, peace, and contentment my Father offers. How far he has brought my heart. It’s truly overwhelming. May this blog be a testament to you and a reminder to myself what this life is all about.
Lord-bind my wandering heart to thee…
