Satisfied

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

–Romans 8:15

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word: adoption? Don’t just keep reading, take a moment to think about that. For me it was security, mostly because I was thinking about adoption in Christ. Adoption is security, it’s belonging, but more than that, it is being wanted.

Now, humans are self-centered; we want what we want and we want it now. We crave things, mostly foods, but also other things. Cravings are a good thing: for without the desire for food we would never eat, then where on earth would we be? Well, nowhere really, we’d be dead. But we crave things, mostly for indulgence or pleasure.

Like I said, cravings are a good thing, cravings are natural, but they are only good when directed toward the right things. Cravings are an awareness and propensity towards something we enjoy or need. God wants to fulfill our cravings.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:19

When we hunger, God says He is the bread of life. When we thirst, He is the everlasting water. God wants to be the sole source of our satisfaction. The problem with humans is that they don’t love pleasures enough. Now, many different religions will tell you that denying yourself pleasures is righteous and Godly: if the pleasures you seek are of this world, then that philosophy is sound.

The pleasures of God, true joy, satisfaction, love, and peace are far beyond what little pleasure this world can afford. The world doesn’t have the monopoly on pleasure. Sometimes Christians feel that they have to back away from God to have some fun. God’s isn’t against fun, there are pleasures beyond what we can imagine that He has in store. However, we still feel like we’re doing wrong when we indulge ourselves.

The question to ask then is why? Why do we have to feel bad about enjoying ourselves every once in a while? Well, let me ask you this: what activities have you sought as a way to have fun and experience pleasure in recent months? Take a minute to think about it, and then answer this next question. How are those activities connected with your commitment to follow Christ?

Some Christians treat their relationship with God like a business relationship, never knowing God as a loving father. Are the activities we partake in furthering our relationship with God? Do we have the kind of relationship with our Heavenly Father that is such that we notice His absence in our lives?

Really, if a husband or wife leaves their spouse for a few days, they’re bound to notice and to feel the absence of them. It hurts to be apart from those you love. If you were to not speak to someone you cared deeply about for several days, there would be an emptiness in you and a hurting. How much more our emptiness is when we disconnect ourselves from the unknowable love of God for more than a day or two.

Do you have the kind of connection to God that would cause you to be in pain and yearning when you don’t speak to Him? The Spirit, love, and glory of God should be addictive in your life. You should get drunk on God’s presence so much so that you can’t bear to be without Him or absent from His presence.

God can, and God will satisfy your soul. If humans were seekers of pleasure we would be addicted to God: the source of true pleasure. Now, the world will tell you that they have the monopoly on pleasure, but it isn’t lasting. Just ask the Samaritan woman at the well, she will tell you that worldly pleasure doesn’t last.

Jesus told her all that she had ever done, that she had had 5 husbands and the man with whom she was living was not her husband. If any woman knew that the sexual pleasures of this world do not last or satisfy, it is her.

God is the only one who can give lasting pleasure. The question is: are you satisfied with your relationship with God? If the answer is yes, you need to rethink what a relationship with God means. We should never be satisfied with our closeness to God until we are with Him in heaven. If you discover your pleasure and satisfaction in God, everything else will follow.

But, how do we discover pleasure in God? Well, you can start by making Him the center of your life. Read His Word; God’s Word is the #1 way He reveals Himself to His people. Then pray, God wants to hear from you and He wants you to hear from Him. Every strong relationship is built upon communication. The true path to satisfaction is to seek the ultimate pleasure in life.

As always, thanks for reading. You know the drill, like, follow, let me know what you’re thinking, and check me out on social.

Twitter: @EJaredAllen

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—the anonymous novelist