In May of 1965, The Rolling Stones recorded the song I Can’t Get No Satisfaction. Shortly after its release, the tune rose to the No. 1 song in the United States. How right they were. No matter how much we try and try and try, satisfaction seems to slip through our fingers.
But is it true that satisfaction is impossible to find in this life? Or could it be that we tend to look for it in all the wrong places? Maybe the true source of satisfaction is right under our noses, but we don’t see it because we’re trying so hard to obtain it on our own.
Consider these words from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah as he declared the words of the coming Messiah: “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to Me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food” (Isaiah 55:1-2). Souls delighting in the “finest of food.”? Hmm—sounds pretty fulfilling to me.
Jesus would later illustrate this reality another way when He spoke these words to a woman who had a history of turning to men to find satisfaction: “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:13-14).
Jesus didn’t say we can’t find satisfaction in our relationships, work, or hobbies. But He did say that without finding it first in Him, it won’t be complete.
So, where are you trying to find your satisfaction?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 2:25-49
More:
Check out Matthew 5:6 to read another comment Jesus made about satisfaction.
Next:
How does Jesus satisfy us completely? What will you do with the parts of your life that leave you feeling dissatisfied?
AManofGod on May 30, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Oh thank you for posting a blog that speaks to my heart on this very day! So often I have been disillussioned by work, relationships and other interests. I falsely thought they would be bring me contentment; alas none ever did. Only through a real intimate relationship with the Lord can we ever find that which we all seek deep in our hearts.
I love the analogy you used with the Rolling Stones song as well. It brings to mind lyrics from another song they made many years ago. Mick Jagger sang:
“you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need”
I think if we try Jesus we will find we get exactly what we want…..and what we need!
AManofGod
OnMyWayHome on May 30, 2011 at 11:48 pm
AManofGod well said….
Amen!
Jeff Olson on May 31, 2011 at 7:52 am
it’s an important reminder to me as well 🙂
OnMyWayHome on June 2, 2011 at 12:34 am
Beg your pardon Jeff as I forgot to mention you as well.
Thank you for your spirit being open to hear the Lords Word to share with us.
winn collier on May 31, 2011 at 9:29 pm
and then to think of how this satisfaction from God is often delivered via the physical, in friendship and conversation, in shared meal and shared life. In wine and bread. thank you.