The reason I can’t get no satisfaction
A long time ago, Greg took the kids to the park and ran into a little boy we knew. Greg drove his 1978 convertible Beetle to the park, and the kid saw it and remarked, “Wow, you’re rich!” To fully appreciate the story, you have to know that the car broke down the same day he bought it. I’m glad we got rid of that thing. (Sorry, Greg.)
As I reflect now on the path I’ve lived –from being homeless during college and now having more than enough — I understand that rest and satisfaction is internal, not external. It’s how Paul can write from prison to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
John Piper wrote, “All the evils in the world come not because our desires for happiness are too strong but because they are so weak that we settle for fleeting pleasures that do not satisfy our deepest souls but in the end destroy them. The root of all evil is that we are the kind of people who settle for the love of money instead of the love of God.”
My prayer is that my soul would find satisfaction in Christ—not pleasure, money, old cars, or even the joy of babies that sleep through the night. These things are a common grace and we ought to enjoy them; yet thirst for pleasure finds its ultimate quenching in Christ. May we not “settle” today, and in so doing, miss out on true wealth.
December 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Yes. Paul did. “I have learned in whatsoever state I am…to be content..” But I see he *learned* it. It wasn’t automatic. I am learning. God is gracious to teach.
Our pastor said Paul never got over the wonder of God’s revealing Himself to him.
How does Piper put it? Something like we are content watching slides of Buck Hill when outside the window are the gorgeous mountains. I need to get beyond ultimate satisfaction being a softer blanket or at least a thaw…or basking in some granted temporary pleasure and never throwing open the window. I wish I’d leave it open.
Thanks for taking time to think deeply and help us think too, especially at this time of year… and on the “eve” of your (temporary) move!
December 12th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
My college minister talked a lot about how my happiness and my standing with God relies on “Jesus plus nothing”. That means more to me every day.
December 12th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Beautifully said.
December 13th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Amen.
December 13th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Thank you Amy, this is good to think about this time of year. Bring on some more posts like this…it’s how I remember you…
December 13th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Amen and amen! Glad you got a condo! If hubs leaves for Kabul I’ll join you on the beach when it gets warmer! :)
December 13th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
thank you Amy
December 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Thank you for the good reminder.
December 14th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
My daily prayer for many years has been that I can one day say Philippians 4:11 in all honesty … Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Amen!
I have been thinking about this same concept, and realized why Christmas is so “unsatisfying” for me. I’ve been grasping after the wrong things all these years. :(
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 am
Thank you for the reminder. Our family has lived on a six figure income and now we struggle just to buy groceries. Our security is not in health-care, our income, our government, but in Christ alone. I wouldn’t choose the path of pain as my teacher, but I will certainly never forget the lessons I have learned through loss.