Only Jesus Can Satisfy Your (My) Soul!

The title of this blog mirrors a song that was performed quite frequently in the churches a few years ago. I don’t remember all of the words…but, the title pretty much says it all. Today, I sat and meditated on this thought and decided that there is a lot of truth to it. Only Jesus has the ability to bring complete satisfaction to our soul.

Lately, I have been asking God for a lot. I figure if His word says, “You have not because you ask not…” then why not ask! (Please no sermons on the part that says you ask, and do not receive, because you desire to fulfill your own lusts.) The stuff I’m asking for is pretty important stuff. You know, stuff like “Help my children find their way…bless my parents…give me wisdom…show me your way…and my personal favorite (as the Psalmist prayed), How long, oh Lord will you allow the unrighteous to win…when will the good guys get to win?

Recently, I read a prayer in Psalms that I had never noticed before…David boldly asked the Lord, “Show me a sign of your favor!” I  shouted in agreement! I could use a sign of His favor just about now! So naturally, because I am human, I began to equate my personal satisfaction level with what I think God is doing (or not doing) for me. Which, when you really think about it, is very shallow and immature! I quickly remembered Jesus telling Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Ouch! 

Don’t get me wrong…I desperately want my children to find their place in the body of Christ and serve Him passionately…I do want my parents to be blessed in their senior years…I do want to know that I have a future that will bring an opportunity to serve the Lord in a significant way…I do! I do! I do! I want all of those things!

But, if all of these things were granted today (and I pray that they are) there would be other issues that would demand my prayer energy…things of great importance that would effect my satisfaction level If I allowed them to. Things that would frustrate me and bring me back to my knees in total dependance upon God.

Now comes the hard part. Can I be satisfied with Christ if He doesn’t answer my prayers? Will I still love Him…serve Him…communicate with Him…praise Him…thank Him? I can only pray that I will. I believe that I will. I am determined to.

And ultimately, I will understand that the satisfaction that I seek from Christ…is the satisfaction of knowing Him personally…deeply…intimately. Letting Him engage me in conversation that will bring peace, joy, understanding, and satisfaction. I love my parents…my wife…my kids…but, only Jesus can bring true satisfaction to my soul! Amen.