Rich and Satisfying

A few weeks ago I preached a sermon called “Rich and Satisfying”. I took the title from John 10:10 (NLT), where Jesus said that’s what He wants our life to be. I explored the idea that when God asks us to do things it’s because His goal is to make our lives rich and satisfying.

We often feel as if the Christian life involves a long list of stuff we are supposed to do for God. We have to volunteer in church. We have to do kind things for people. We have to give our time and money. We have to pray. We have to… have to… have to…

Of course God does encourage us to do certain things as His children, but the question is why. Is it because He has a lot to do and is short of workers? Is it because He’s poor and needs our money? Is it because He doesn’t know how to do something and really needs someone with our talents or experience?   

When we look at it that way, it seems pretty silly. God spoke the world into existence. Does He really need me to get things done? So then, why does He ask me to do things He could easily accomplish on His own or in some other way?

There is only one logical answer. If God’s instructions aren’t for His benefit, they must be for mine. He asks me to serve because it’s how I will grow. He asks me to help others because I will develop compassion and generosity and self worth. He asks me to give because I will develop a generous spirit and learn to trust him. He asks me to pray because I will grow in my relationship with him. Every single thing God asks of me, the things I often do grudgingly or not at all, are not for His benefit. They are for mine!

When I do what He says I will grow in all the ways that are really important. I will learn to trust God and grow in the peace that can only come from truly knowing Him. I will have the rich and satisfying life Jesus said He wants to give us.

Does that mean life becomes trouble free? Sorry, no. We live in a world where sickness and death and hurt and disappointment are part of life, Christian or not. As long as we are in this world we will not be free of problems, but Jesus’ plan is that we grow in our relationship with Him and become the kind of people who can rise above the struggle. He wants us to have a rich and satisfying life in spite of life’s circumstances.

The conclusion is inevitable. If we do what God says we will grow and mature and move ever closer to the rich and satisfying life Jesus wants us to have. If we refuse we rob ourselves of the amazing life that is available to us.

How ironic. So many Christians avoid doing what God asks because they think it’s going to keep them from what they really want.  They are busy pursuing what they are sure will bring “the good life”. They don’t want to serve God or others because it will cut into their time for doing the things that will make them happy. They don’t want to give to God because they need that money to do the things they are sure will bring joy and contentment. They want to be great parents and are convinced that means providing their kids with more sports, more lessons, and bigger and better vacations.

Even for many Christians life is about doggedly pursuing their own goals and priorities because their way seems better than God’s. What’s the result? Instead of finding the ever elusive “good life”, they end up robbing themselves of the rich and satisfying life only God can give. They have stress instead of God’s peace. They are always reaching for more instead of knowing God’s contentment. Their children end up pursuing what everyone else says is good rather than pursuing God. They are always busy but not achieving the things that are really important in life.

If we could only grasp that God loves us and knows what’s best for us. Every instruction He gives us is for our growth. Every priority He asks us to adopt is for our benefit. Everything He tells us in His word is designed to bring us to a life that is rich and satisfying!

Dr. Phil is famous for the statement, “how’s that working for you?” Take a look at your life. If you are stubbornly pursuing your own agenda and your own priorities instead of following God’s instructions for life, you might want to ask yourself that question. How’s that working for you? Is it bringing peace and contentment and allowing you to rise above life’s struggles? Jesus wants you to have a rich and satisfying life.