People everywhere are looking for something. Men and women around the world are looking for that special someone that will make them feel complete. They look for jobs that they will enjoy and that can afford them the lifestyle they desire. Some look for the latest adventure that will challenge them and give them a rush of adrenalin greater than the last adventure. Others seek a peaceful state of mind that is worry-free. Yet, few ever find what they are looking for because they are looking in all the wrong places. What are you looking for in life? Is it love, peace, joy, a sense of belonging, a feeling of worth, or is it a longing for purpose? A desire to be part of something bigger than yourself that is effective in this world.
I believe God created a desire for love within each of us. Since He describes himself as love in I John 4:16, and He created us in His image, it is understandable that we all have that desire. In Him, we also can have that desire fulfilled. In John 3:16, His love for us is so great He gave His Son’s life to make it possible for us to have a relationship with Him. He loves us and His desire is for us to love Him.
I John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Another innate desire of mankind is peace. The world longs for peace, but everywhere you look there is war among countries, strife within families, stress at jobs, and an unsettled feeling inside. Jesus has the answer for this also. In John 14:27, Jesus gives us peace, not like the world offers peace, but a peace that is inward and calms the soul. In John 16:33 He reaffirms His offer of peace to us and reminds us that what the world offers is turmoil, but He has overcome the world. The inward peace He offers cannot be taken away by the situations of this world. It is an eternal peace as He dwells within us.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Another desire that Jesus fulfills is our desire for joy. This is a joy that will be deep within us as long as we are seeking Jesus first. It is not the same as happy, it is a much more complete feeling that doesn’t change with the circumstances that are outside of us. It is a completeness that comes from placing Jesus first, others second, and yourself last. This is certainly the opposite of the world’s view of joy. I John 15:11, He gives us His joy and as we commune with Him it remains and it is a full joy, a joy that is abundant and overflowing. The sense Jesus is portraying here is that a full and clear view of Him and the fellowship we can have with Him and each other will produce real happiness that is complete.
John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Next, we each need a sense of belonging, to be a part of something that is bigger than our individual endeavors. In Christ, we find that we become part of a family. A family that has a common bond with God as our Father and Jesus as our Savior. This family is made up of people from all over the world in which we are connected through the blood of Jesus. We have a kindred spirit called the Holy Spirit that dwells within each of us. We may share this commonality with those who are family by birth if they are saved but if they are not saved, we will feel closer to other Christians than we do them. When we are saved, we belong to an eternal family that will be together forever. It is a family where love is expressed in the purest sense of love and God is glorified. When we belong to this family, we have someone who bears our burdens, cheers us on when things are tough, offers a hand when there is a need, and prays for us on a regular basis.
Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
Colossians 1:9 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
We all need a sense of worth. Phycologists and psychiatrists teach the opposite when they teach to build yourself up, to have high self-esteem, and to place your value of yourself above everything else. They are setting you up for a fall because it is all about yourself. Jesus teaches us to forget about ourselves and He will give us our worth. No greater worth can come than the worth God places upon us. He demonstrated our worth by giving His only Son’s life in return for ours. Jesus saw worth by being willing to redeem us back to the Father. The word redeemed means to buy back. God didn’t throw us away and move on to the next person. He made a plan to buy us back. The value He places upon us yields greater affirmation of our worth than anything or anyone on this earth can ever offer. We are worth what our creator says we are worth! In Revelations 5:9 we were redeemed by the only one worthy to redeem us and one day we will sing a new song declaring the worthiness of the Lamb of God.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Revelation 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”
Last but not least, we have a purpose. We are blessed to be a part of the greatest purpose there is. We can help to save someone from the pits of eternal Hell to the glory of Heaven. We are commanded to go and tell. Our obedience can make a difference in the eternity of others. There is no greater purpose on earth than to be a part of the great commission. It is a purpose that will be ours until the day we die. We don’t retire as Christians and a follower of Christ. We don’t move on to another job. This is the purpose of every believer. It brings the ultimate glory to God and I Corinthians 10:31 teaches us that everything we do is to bring glory to Him!
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
If the purpose that God has designed for you is not what you are looking for, then it will be difficult to find satisfaction in this life. You may feel fulfilled for time periods but sooner or later you will feel empty because you are not being filled with what God designed you to be.
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