I had some downtime one day, so I decided to just relax for a bit. I retreated to my favourite chair in the living room, sank down into its cushiness, put my feet up and took out my phone.
I had a desire to consume, i.e. take in something. I went to Netflix. Nothing looked interesting. So, I tried YouTube. Nothing good on there either. I thought about reading but that felt more like work. Then I had a random thought – maybe I’ll read a bit of Mark (my current study) on the bible app as I’m on my phone anyway.
I wasn’t optimistic as I tried this. I anticipated that I would have the same reaction as with everything else I’d tried so far. But, no. Surprisingly, I read and was engrossed in the study of chapter 10 for over an hour! Even more interestingly, that desire to consume disappeared. What just happened here?
That’s when God spoke into my heart – My Word satisfies.
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.”
John 6:35 CSB
Thirst, hunger, and cravings signify a need.
I admit, I’m not great at discerning the underlying need. And, probably worse, I try to satisfy that need with the wrong things. Feeding myself with what does not satisfy. But I think it’s important to ask why. Why do I hunger in the first place?
If I don’t feed myself well enough to properly nourish my body, then I will get cravings. However, if I’m filling up on the good stuff, then I would be well nourished, satisfied, and not crave anything.
As with good food, if I’m feasting regularly on the Bread of Life then I wouldn’t want what doesn’t satisfy.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
Psalm 36:7-9 ESV
Genuine satisfaction is spiritual.
He promised to provide all we need. So why seek fulfillment anywhere else?
I’m not suggesting that there’s anything inherently wrong with streaming media, reading, etc. Those are all wonderful sources of entertainment and outlets for relaxation.
However, God is reminding me yet again to delight in Him because only He satisfies. When I start feeling dissatisfied about something, it’s probably because I’ve put the hope of satisfaction in that thing instead of in God.
So now, I’ve made room in my day to practice this intentionally. I delight by being in His word. By spending time with Him in prayer. And by being in fellowship with other believers.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 ESV
Are you living that abundant life? Are you delighting in the One who satisfies our soul? Where can you create margin to do so regularly?
