4:27 – Satisfaction or Joy?

#faithbites #faithjourney satisfaction

Setting

There are a lot of things that I am good at. (And yes, many I am not, but we won’t go there). I had a good friend and career mentor ask me to list all of the things I was doing and see what brings me joy. What are those things that I’m passionate about? While I haven’t done that yet, I found many that I am good at and it brings me satisfaction to complete them, but it doesn’t bring me joy. Her suggestion was to really focus on that which brings you more than just satisfaction. When you work for joy, you give it your all. When you work for satisfaction, it’s fleeting. Then, when you work just for work, you are neither getting joy or satisfaction out of it.

Why does this matter? We always have a chance to share God’s word, build community, and help grow his kingdom. When we are working just to be satisfied, we aren’t using all of the gifts God gave us. If we are working just to work, often we aren’t able to spend the energy to share his word and grow the kingdom.

I know there are times when the bills just have to get paid or when you don’t feel that you have a choice. We have all gone through those times. The question is, what brings you joy? What would you want to do if you could? How can you get there?

Scripture

• Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
• Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
• Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Reflection

As Christians, we have faith in God and know that he will deliver on his promises. If we are in Christ, we will be richly rewarded. In the joy vs satisfaction debate, we have to look at where the joy and satisfaction are coming from. Are we doing what we are doing because that is what is expected of us? Are we getting satisfaction because we are good at it but it doesn’t bring us joy? Or do we strive for that which we are good at and brings us joy?

In my life, I see a lot of getting good at things that give me satisfaction. Most of those fall in the realm of helping people out. Is it the best use of my skills? Not necessarily. When I’m asked, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”, I still don’t have an answer. I know I want to help people learn, grow, and serve. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe that’s what God wants me to do. I just have to lean into him, ask him where I should be, and see joy through him in everything.

As we close, how are you getting closer to joy in Christ? If you aren’t having joy in what you do now, are you working towards it?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, sometimes we keep doing what we are good at because it pays the bills. We don’t find joy in it and it doesn’t help us to spread your word. Tonight, we ask your guidance to help us do the work that brings us joy AND helps grow your kingdom. We want to move beyond satisfaction and towards living a life that you showed us. Please help us to move beyond what is comfortable and towards that which brings you joy. In your name, Amen.