A "Satisfying" Blog Post

Filled.  Satisfied.  Mission Accomplished.  In life we are often chasing those feelings.  So common is the pursuit of those experiences The Rolling Stones sold a giga-ton of their song "Satisfaction," or better recognized by the lyrics, "I can't get no ... Satisfaction." We as believers are quick to chime in with religious sounding phrases like, "Jesus is my source, my salvation.  My soul is satisfied with Him!"  We wag our heads at the young stars and starlets of Hollywood fame who've reached the zenith of the American Dream and yet end their lives tragically in a drug and depression induced haze.  Christians often attach any number of achievements and conditional outcomes to our satisfaction level if we're being honest.  We are often swayed by our current circumstances and whether or not we have accomplished particular goals which are sure to provide the satisfaction of success.  

There's another sinister, creeping sensation that comes and is not as detectable:  when we got what we were after, but it didn't deliver the feeling we thought we'd have.  I was reading through my Facebook feed and saw another high profile pastor fallen, ensnared by unspecified but "very serious" issues.  Sadly, he's not the only one and for sheer sake of grief I won't list them.  We know their names all too well.  As these represent our view of what it takes to reach “the top,” to achieve “success” and a sense of “when” we’ll be satisfied, the entire proposition begs a question.

Can you be satisfied with something “less” than Jesus.  Or, even more deceptive, can you be satisfied with something parading in your life plan AS Jesus?  Why is this important?  Anything else, and certainly less, will fail to ultimately satisfy.  Anything else will drain your strength and vitality and fulfillment.  It’s time to reevaluate why we do what we do and for whom we are doing it.  All that is done for Christ will last… including us.

Consider this poem by Missionary C.T. Studd:

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choiceBidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”;Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”-C.T. Studd