I've said it. I'm sure you have, too. It goes something like this: "I'll be happy when ...we get the new house" ...when I finish this course" ...if I get that new job" ...when the kids are in school" ...when I find that special 'someone.'"
And so it goes, with true happiness always just around the next corner. Sound familiar? What is it you are longing for today?
We long for something, in the tomorrow of our lives, that will bring the fulfillment that may be lacking in our today. There is a reason for that.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "God has also set eternity in the hearts of men."
God created you with eternity in your heart. He created each of us with a longing that only the things of eternity will fill.
What are the things of eternity that we can look for today to fulfill that longing? God's ways are not complicated. He said we needed to come to Him as children, so that mean the explanation for this longing in our hearts must be simple. Eternity for God's children will be filled with the glory of God. The glory of God is simply who God is.
We taste the fulfillment of eternity in our hearts when we show who God is as we live our lives in ways that reveals His character.
* By loving others. When we encounter difficult or unlovable people, we show God's character by offering love that we get first from Him. You will be surprised at the joy in your heart when you give God's love away.
* By serving others. Remember when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, even when He knew within hours Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him? When He finished washing, He told them all, "Happy are you if you do this for one another" (John 13). Jesus knew the fulfillment we would find in serving each other. If it's been a while since you served someone, just to show who God is, find a way today and experience the joy of that fulfillment.
* By our character. Living a life of integrity in all things will bring a deep satisfaction to your soul. Lack of integrity always carries an expensive price tag.
Heavenly Father,
Help me to show a watching world who You are by the way I live. Today let my life declare the glory of God. Help me to live like Jesus would. Let me taste a bit of what eternity will be like as I allow You to love and serve others through me.
Gail Rodgers