Ever feel like there's more to life than what you're experiencing? Sometimes we deeply hunger for more than what we know. It drives us to seek fulfillment in all sorts of unfulfilling endeavors: sex, money, relationships, possessions, work or endless activity, status and the esteem of others, and on it goes. We can literally drive ourselves into the ground to satiate our appetite. Life can end up feeling like one long, frustrating journey where we chase after the carrot, but never grab hold of it.
My tendency is to believe that work, relationships and fun will fill me up. When I start to live out of this belief, though, I’m inevitably disappointed. No person or activity has the ultimate ability to complete me. I have to stop running after these things and return to the Source of life.
What do you pursue? Would you like to stop chasing the wind?
In John 6:63 Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (NIV). So, what did he say to the crowds that were following him that would satisfy their desire?
I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty . . . I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life . . . I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:47–48, 51)
It goes like this: Our bodies feel hungry, we eat, and feel full. And it brings energy and health and life to us. Jesus is our spiritual bread. When we go to Jesus, and connect with him—when we invite him into our lives and walk with him, he nourishes us. We feel full. And he brings us vibrancy, soundness, and yes, life!
Don’t waste your years seeking after pursuits that will bring temporary moments of pleasure or happiness. Life is fleeting: “All men are like grass . . . The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:6, 8). Seek the one who brings fullness to this life and the promise of an eternal home in the next.
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. (Isaiah 55:1–3)
