Friends, so often I catch myself trying to satisfy my heart with material and earthly needs. I find myself desiring a new decoration for my room, a calming sweet smelling candle, more friends at work, a more popular social status, a better workout routine, and a new recipe that everyone loves. I find myself thinking "if only I had that"; "if only I was better at this"; "if only I was fitter" then.... I would be happy.
Friends, we all have things we want, we all have things we long for. But so often the things we think we need or want so badly are simply lies from the temptations of this earth. For temporal things and earthly possessions will never truly fulfill our hearts. People on this earth can never bring us true unending joy apart from Jesus. Materials will quickly fade and change and soon we will want the newer item. Our health and skin degenerates throughout the years we live. So what is the unchanging, hope for our needy and wanting souls?
Only Christ can give our hearts and bodies the healing, comfort, and love we need.
Only Christ can give us a purpose that will fill our hears with the utmost joy. That purpose will not be found in popularity, status, comparison, but it will be found when we surrender our lives fully to Christ and when we choose to become a servant to God and others.
I have lately been reading the book "Ministry of Healing" and I highly recommend it as it talks about the life of Jesus and how he was truly the master physician in meeting the needs of people's bodies as well as their emotions and souls. One of the first lines says "Jesus came to this world as the unwearied servant of human need. He "took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses"- that He might minister to every need of humanity." It was His mission to bring complete restoration to men and women. He came to give them health, peace, and perfection of character."
It continues to say that "Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching."
If you are anything like me, you may find this surprising. So often, when I think of Jesus, I don't think of a compassionate doctor. Yet this is what Jesus invested so much time in doing for people: seeing their needs and hurt and helping them to gain new life and health again. I think if you take some time to envision Jesus as the loving doctor- not just for your physical body, but for your mind, your emotions, and your souls- you will begin to see Him in a new light.
"As He passed through the towns and cities, He was like a vital current spreading life and joy." EGW: Ministry of Healing
Friends, we have to stop looking for the things of this earth to satisfy needs that only God can fill. Because when we seek fulfillment from material things or human beings, we will always come up short-handed and disappointed. Instead Christ, is the key to the bread and water that we need- the joy we need- that when we eat and drink of Christ, we will never get hungry or thirsty again. Truly Christ has the power to fill our lives fully and abundantly.
John 10:10 " I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly."
John 6:25 "Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
As we draw near to Jesus, as we spend time with Him, Christ gives us a spiritual fulfillment in our hearts and minds and we will find everything we have ever wanted or needed.