Real Satisfaction in the new year?

Real satisfaction

A cheeseburger and fries pleases my palate, but when I eat those things, I consume far more calories to find satisfaction. When I sit down to a salad with the complex flavors of arugula, leafy lettuce, and spinach, which is followed up by carefully seasoned meat, I am much more satisfied. Perhaps the reason we’re becoming a ‘fat’ nation is because we are primarily living on ‘fast’ food that leaves us unsatisfied?

Many Christians live on a spiritual diet of ‘fast’ food; pre-digested devotional material, 2 minute prayers, and once a week worship. They are unfamiliar with complexities of spiritual disciplines such as meditation, silence, or fasting because they are hard, or just feel unfamiliar. Their relationship with the Lord is primarily based in emotion and seeks a quick lift of inspiration. And, they are unsatisfied; hungering for the living God.

We are made to know God and to be filled by His Spirit. If we do not pursue Him, we will look for something to satisfy the that soul hunger! When we are stressed by temptation, pressed to our limit by life’s trials, we start to feel the pull of temptation. That soul hunger gets confused with our sensual desires.  How does look?  
An extra-marital affair we thought we would never even consider becomes so tempting when our future is clouded with uncertainty.
Many of us pack on an extra 10 pounds of weight when we are transitioning through a major life change, simply because we try to find soul soothing in too many bowls of ice cream.

Two stiff drinks offer quick escape from the ache of disappointment.

The Lord offers promise to the hungry. "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." (Isaiah 55:2, NIV)  Mature disciples know in Whom they find lasting satisfaction. "I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night." (Psalm 63:4-6, NLT) Honestly, just as my palate had to be trained to appreciate the complex flavors and textures of some food, our spirit must learn to appreciate the complexities of spiritual discipleship.

Want to become a person with a soul that is healthy? Do you desire to live nobly, wholly, and with greater joy?

Spend yourself to help the needy.
Replace accusing words with encouragement.
Become a person committed to justice, full of forgiveness, intimate with the Lord.

Here’s what He promises about filling you up: "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11, NIV) 

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:31-33, NLT) 

That sounds like real soul satisfaction to me.

_______________

All my lifelong I had panted,

For a draught from some cool spring

That I hoped would quench the burning

Of the thirst I felt within.

Feeding on the husks around me

Till my strength was almost gone,

Longed my soul for something better,

Only still to hunger on.

Well of water, ever springing,

Bread of life, so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings;

Thro' His blood I now am saved.

Satisfied

Williams, Clara Teare / Hudson, Ralph E.

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