God is Waiting
I have a 2-year old, and anytime we go into a store, she is distracted, curious, and in awe or wonder over all the things on display. She can take off in the blink of an eye so it's not hard to lose her if we don’t watch her. It’s easy for her to find things she wants to get and take home with her. The lighting, the colors, the stuff, it’s all so enticing to her. We, as adults, very much act like this in many ways. We see all the material goods or things people have on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, and we want it. We see people going on vacations, moving jobs, getting new cars, or furthering their education. Pretty soon, we are pursuing all those things. We take our eyes off God and forget all the blessings we already have. We forget how God has always provided and been constant in our lives. We are blinded by things considered glamorous, dazzling, and must-haves. Luke 12:15 says And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” By wanting these things, we aren’t grateful or thankful for what we do have; we are blinded. We don’t see how fortunate we are, and that there are others have it worse. How can we be grateful, when our eyes covet what other people have? If we don’t have or can’t get those things, pretty soon we are feeling depressed, worthless, or insignificant.
Furthermore, we try live up to other people’s standards and expectations, living to impress people with our material things. We strive to please others (those who don’t really even matter). Have you noticed though, that the bar keeps getting higher? Material goods get better; another edition comes out, a newer and better version. We need the latest IPhone, newest car, biggest this, or faster that. Why? Why do we strive and pursue things that only satisfy us momentarily? We want a quick fix or instant gratification to fill something we lack (which I’ll talk about in the next blog). All of that doesn’t truly make us happy because soon, we will be looking for the next BIG thing. Some of us move from job to job, from hobby to hobby, or relationship to relationship.
And in all this, we’ve forgotten the One who has been there all along, knocking and waiting. Matthew 6:33 says Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. God is patient and full of grace. But we try to do life our way, then other people’s way. We see what we think is success, then upheaval our whole life to achieve it. We lose ourselves and get caught up in stuff or material wealth. We keep searching for that thing that will give us a permanent fix, the thing that will truly satisfy us. Yet, nothing satisfies that yearning, that longing for something. Not material possessions, not drugs, not food, not alcohol, not even people. We get upset with our relationships--our friends or significant other. Maybe even our kids. Why aren’t they meeting our needs? What is it that we need? Why can’t they make me happy, why they don’t fill this void?
That void my friend, is special, unique, one of a kind emtiness that only God can fill. That yearning to be in a deeper relationship is to be in a deeper relationship with God. Don't buy another thing for instant gratification, God is more than enough and can permanently satisfy you. Seek Him! We don't need retail therapy, we need God therapy. We don't need to impress people, we already have the love of God, and only God can show you your true purpose. God brings true joy, without the stuff. Isaiah 55:6 says, Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. It’s time to trust God with our lives. Some of us trust Him when we are ill, or in great need. But we don’t trust Him with our spouse, our job, our friends, or our feelings. We need Him in all areas, all aspects of our lives. Let’s start by turning over ourselves, our job, our relationships, our emotions, our finances‚ anything that you question or struggle with to God, the One True God. He exists, and He is waiting to help you. Put down the material and worldly things, and open the door to Him; He is knocking!
Let us Pray.
Father God,
You are amazing, all-knowing, all powerful, and always present. Thank you for the readers and your message today. I also thank you for those recognize their need for you, and for those who continue to seek you. You know where we all are with our faith and you are with us. I thank you for knocking and for your continued patience. Help the readers to see what it is that they truly need. Help them in their times of loneliness, grief, emptiness, or despair. If their way isn’t working, show them Your way. Send them men and women of God to pray for them, to hold their hand, and to teach them your Ways. I pray over them, that the God of hope fill them with all joy and peace as they trust You, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). I pray that You will continue to care for them, and trust that the you will finish the work you have begun (Philippians 1:6).
In Jesus’ Great Name I pray, Amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
