November 29, 2017 - "Are You Satisfied?"

Chaplain’s Corner

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Are You Satisfied?

Greetings, Patriots!

This morning I wanted to take a step back and just “get real” with you about your life, your struggles, your expectations, your desires, your pursuit of happiness, etc. Please note that I do not claim to have “all the answers” as I am a work in progress, and am taking life one day at a time, as we all should be. However, I do speak from experience on the issue of life and its struggles and would be happy to share some bits of wisdom that come with lessons learned, sometimes the “hard way.”

As your Chaplain, it kind of goes without saying that my job is to point you to the Bible, the Christian life, etc. Unfortunately, many times people who are not interested in that sort of thing will close their minds to what I have to say before giving me a chance to plead my case. Many times I am dismissed before I have a chance to share, simply due to a lot of preconceived notions that are rampant in our society today. If you have been hurt or deeply offended by someone claiming to be “Christian” due to interactions with them that caused you personal grief, I am sure you feel justified in judging all Christians based on a bad experience. However, please indulge me long enough to share my personal views with you here.

The title of this particular blog today is, “Are You Satisfied?” I chose this subject today because I find that many, if not most people I interact with, in today’s society, seem to be constantly in pursuit of “something better.” The “pursuit of happiness” itself is not necessarily wrong, but I see many people frustrated by the never-ending appetite and lack of satisfaction with what they have or where they are in life. The interesting thing is that you see that all across the spectrum. Everyone from the homeless all the way to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company seems to be constantly reaching and striving for something that just seems to be elusive and out of their grasp. Many times, they are not even aware of exactly what it is that they are reaching for... they just know inside that they are not really satisfied with their lot in life, and feel the need to continue their quest for that ever-elusive “something” that will give their inner being that rest and satisfaction that they crave.

Some people have used an illustration of a “God-shaped hole in our hearts that only He can fill.” That may sound silly to some, but in reality, that really is a true statement. More and more academics are starting to admit that belief in God or a “higher power” is more or less “hardwired” into our brain from birth. A basic “need” to believe in, and give reverence to our creator is natural, and many times causes us to pursue Him to satisfy an internal need that we do not always understand. Unfortunately, there are many in the higher education system who have stifled that urge and tried to relegate it to fantasy and “hocus-pocus.” They seem to enjoy deriding people of faith as “immature, uneducated, and backward.” They feel a real superiority over their fellow men who pursue a meaningful personal relationship with God and laugh at their “obsession” to know and understand a power beyond their comprehension.

Well, there are arguments to be made on both sides of the equation. I want to speak today from personal experience. I will tell you, too, that in my conversations with many, many people, I find that there is an amazing pattern that I have seen develop consistently over and over again. I will say that I have believed in God for my entire life. Having said that, I will also say that my belief in God has not always guided my life or my actions. There have been times in my life where it seemed like my spiritual bent was like a pendulum. I found that there were times when I naturally gravitated to a deeper experience with God, and then there were times when I simply walked away from that relationship. Let’s just say that I am not proud of many of the things I have done in my life. However, at the time, it was easy to justify just about anything I wanted to do. Hedonism is alive and well in our society, and I have been a charter member of that lifestyle more than I care to admit. I have indulged myself and pursued the next greater pleasure in life too many times to list. I will admit that I had a lot of “fun” while on my quests. However, I will also say that while I was living that life, I was never really “happy” or satisfied with that life.

I have never been a drug abuser so I cannot speak from experience on the subject, but my observations from the outside looking in is that those who get mixed up in that life start off rather innocently. Many times they just tried something that a friend told them would give them a rush, or a high, or an “awesome” experience. Maybe they were smart enough to know that this was not a good idea and that it would possibly lead to a lifestyle that they knew would be a detriment to their health, happiness, and well-being. However, like so many of us, they just wanted to “try it” and found it to be quite exciting or stimulating. They may have gone back to their regular routine and not really seen or felt any negative effects from that encounter, and they may have reasoned that they could “handle it” and stay in control. They then decided to do it again... and then again... and then after a while, they realized they were “hooked” and could not easily escape the grasp of the pursuit of the next high. It is a classic story and has been told and lived by many people for many years, and though we all know and understand the evils of illicit drug abuse, for some reason the problem just gets worse. Why is that?

This blog is not centering attention on the drug problem today. The issue of drug addiction is only an example of the bigger issue. People are constantly looking for satisfaction. People try a plethora of things to fill their hearts and minds with “things” that they hope will satisfy that inner crave or desire for fulfillment. I have walked the same road, and have suffered the same frustrations. And for me, it wasn’t because I didn’t know about God. It was because I didn’t KNOW God. Believe me, there is a very real difference. Here is where my life experience gives me an edge.

I have found that many times Christians are so tied up with the idea of eternity, that too often we forget about talking about our “here and now.” I have seen life from both sides, and have found that my “here and now” is so much better than it used to be, simply because I quit pursuing the things in life that I thought would make me happy. I have found that my relationship and walk with God has settled me down, and I am at a point in my life where I can truly say that I am satisfied. I am happier now that I have ever been in my life. I am at peace in my heart. I have an inner joy that transcends the circumstance I may find myself in daily. Sure, I still have good days and bad days in this flesh, and I suffer the aches and pains of getting older. I still wonder sometimes exactly how I am going to pay a certain bill or take care of an obligation. I still let myself down with the everyday issues pertaining to life in this flesh. The big difference, for me, is the big picture.

My focus has been shifted. My desires have been modified. As I pray daily, and seek God and His wisdom, and ask the Holy Spirit to change me, I find that it gets easier and easier to let go of the carnal things in life and embrace the spiritual. Though I have to live in this flesh, I am focused on the spiritual. My love of God and my desire to be holy drive me to be the best person I can be in this life. It motivates me to love others and share the love of Christ with them. I know and understand that I do not have the strength or power to change my own life for the good, so I have abdicated my rights to rule over my life, and have given that authority over to Jesus Christ. It is only by complete surrender of my rights and freedoms as a free moral agent, that I am now completely set free from the arduous task of running my own life, which is truly an exercise in futility. I do not feel deprived. I feel blessed. I do not miss the things that I have given up. I find a peace and satisfaction in my heart that I cannot describe with mere words. It is an experience that is unlike any other in the human condition.

Sadly, I see others who are still struggling in this life, and many of them are frustrated because they call themselves Christian and have a form of godly devotion, but their lives show that they have not truly surrendered to Him. Many people have the misconception that if they say some “magic words” at a church service, accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior, that they somehow have tricked God into a contract that they have no desire to fulfill. They think that they now have their “fire insurance” and their eternal destiny is assured simply because they said a few words in a moment of high emotion. The real question is whether they were really cut to the heart about their need for a Savior and whether they truly asked God to take over their lives. Have they given up the throne of their own heart? Have they truly surrendered to Him?

I am not here to judge anyone. My job is to be an encourager and hopefully, I can also point people in the right direction. However, I cannot do it for you. Your satisfaction in life is your own responsibility and your walk. However, you never have to walk alone. In His great love, God has given all of us the gift of redemption, and it is a free gift. All you have to do is accept it. However, for it to be truly effective, you really do have to surrender to it. To try living a double life will simply lead to frustration. Once we “get it” and surrender in humility to the One Who created us and loves us, we will find that our walk with Him will grow exponentially. We will also find fellowship with others who have taken the same step of faith, and we will delight in our association with them as we seek to walk with God together. It really is a wonderful life, once you find the key to being satisfied.

As the Apostle Paul said: “ 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. “ - Philippians 4: 12, 13 (NIV)

God bless you, every one, and:
God Bless America!
Stephen King
Chaplain@3upi.com