The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13) The intriguing thing to my mind is that Paul wrote these words from a Roman jail, waiting for his execution. I can almost see writing such a thing while sitting in the comfort of a church pew. But a jail! If you've ever been in a jail, you realize what a depressing, dehumanizing place it really is. I for one would really like to learn this secret that Paul talks about, the secret of contentment in any and every circumstance. Though I am setting out here to write an article about living a satisfied life, I cannot say that I have truly learned this secret yet. I can tell you much more about what does NOT satisfy. I grew up believing that the accumulation of knowledge would bring one satisfaction. After earning a Ph.D. in chemistry, becoming a successful research scientist with plenty of research grants, publishing over 50 papers in major scientific journals, and winning several notable research awards, I have found that knowledge and even the prestige that comes with it does not satisfy. Paul found that out too, and wrote, "Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." (1 Corinthians 8:1-3) I am just beginning to learn the secret of a satisfied life. I'm still a novice at life, but based on the inspired Word of God I can at least point you in the right direction. Even worldly folks have discovered an important underlying principle to living a fulfilled life. The secret is in relationships, not in things, circumstances, activities or knowledge. And if greater fulfillment can be attained through having meaningful and balanced relationships with other persons, consider how fulfilling it can be to have a real relationship with the One Person who created you, the One who IS love. And so it is that Paul wrote in this same letter, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:8) Paul discovered that the secret to ultimate fulfillment is to know Christ, to have an intimate relationship with Him. This does not mean merely holding to a certain doctrine about Christ, but knowing Him personally and experiencing His friendship on a daily basis through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. A second important element of a satisfied life is having a sense of purpose and destiny. The more real and ultimate that purpose is, the more satisfied one's life will be. For example, I know people who are consumed by a passion for body building and physical fitness. It gives them a certain degree of satisfaction simply being zealous toward such a goal. The problem is that they will ultimately be let down. This is the origin of what we call mid-life crisis. Our lives reach a crisis point when we achieve life goals which were not set high enough. As my dad is fond of saying, "I don't mind being over the hill. What bothers me is that it was such a small hill." Jesus gave us a high calling and purpose for life on planet Earth when He said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." In saying those words He raised those men out of a lower life of survival in a smelly fishing boat and landed them on another and higher dimension of living. The apostle John expressed this when he wrote, "What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write so that our joy may be made complete." (1 John 1:3-4) In other words, our Christian joy and fulfillment reaches its completion when we become fishers of men, living to lead others into the same fellowship with our heavenly Father that we enjoy. Are you satisfied with the life you are now living? If not, maybe you need a realignment of priorities. Do you simply know ABOUT Jesus, or do you know Him personally? Have you sought a life of intimacy with your heavenly Father? Do your goals correspond to what Jesus commissioned, when He called us to be fishers of men? Or are you looking for satisfaction in comfortable circumstances? Step out of that lower life today and enter the high life of a relationship with Jesus. Step into a supernaturally satisfying life.
@ copyright 1992 by Scott H. Northrup. All rights reserved.