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Topic: Satisfied (10/11/04)
TITLE: Learning to be satisfied By Jan Warrick 10/18/04 |
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We humans crave and desire that feeling of being satisfied, sometimes to the point of causing trouble for ourselves. Personally, I found comfort in eating. The smell, texture and taste of food would help calm me when times were stressful, or happy, or sad, or…you name it. I always had an excuse to eat. To the point of obesity. I am now learning a new way of eating. I am learning how to be satisfied with smaller portions and healthier food. And the amazing thing is, I am satisfied. I don’t have to eat myself into oblivion to be happy. I am 35 pounds down and am content with the amount and kinds of food I eat. I am learning to be satisfied with my new eating habits rather than thinking I have to experience any and all kinds of food everyday or I will be deprived of something.
Not everyone has learned this skill. Have you ever gone out to eat with someone who interviews everyone around them about what they are eating, and what it tastes like? They have a plate of food in front of them, but they aren’t satisfied with their meal. What others have on their plates is more interesting to them. They have not learned to be satisfied with what is put in front of them. They feel as if they have been deprived of the other kinds of food around them.
Sometimes we as Christians are guilty of the same behavior. How many of us wish we could sing like SallyJo, or draw like Charlie, or write like Sam? How many wish we were in the front lines, being great evangelists, winning thousands of souls for God? How many of us are not satisfied with the talents God has given to each of us and instead wish we had someone else’s talents? How many of us think God has deprived us of something just because our talents may be quiet support for someone else who gets all the attention?
The talents that God has given us are just as important for use in His kingdom as SallyJo’s, Charlie’s and Sam’s. Though I can’t prove it Biblically, I believe that when we put ourselves down and say we have no talents, we are insulting God. Just because we aren’t in the limelight doesn’t mean we don’t have talents. It is important for each of us to evaluate the skills God has given us and then ask Him where we should use those skills. We need to learn to be satisfied with what God has given us. When we do that, the peace, that we so desperately crave, will be a constant companion. It is not something we have to search for, it is a gift from God, given to us as we put our faith and trust in Him.