Instant gratification and the acquisition of material wealth are telltale signs of the times in which we live.
There is a prevailing belief that things will produce happiness and fulfillment in one's life. A lot of people are similar in their spiritual lives. They tend to exercise what I refer to as "spiritual pickiness." That is, they choose only certain portions of the "bread" that Jesus offers and ignore other portions. Usually the portions they choose are those that do not offend, those that do not urge them to rearrange their selfish priorities, or those that do not require them to forsake too much of their former ways of being. Spiritual pickiness, just like the pickiness that many of our children exercise towards their food, is not a healthy habit. It can lead to serious malnutrition in our lives and in our souls.
Jesus wanted to stress the bread he offers brings about total fulfillment of the body, mind and soul.
Those who partake of this bread will never be hungry again. We endlessly chase after stuff or things that have no ultimate or final significance in our lives. Our pursuit of all this stuff, of all these things ultimately leads to an empty life. The only way to have guaranteed satisfaction in one's life is to seek that which provides ultimate satisfaction: Jesus Christ.
Instant gratification and the acquisition of material wealth may be telltale signs of the times in which we live, but they do not have to be and should not be telltale signs of the life of those who follow Jesus Christ. A worthy life is one that relies solely upon God to provide all that is needed. True satisfaction and true fulfillment come from one source -- God -- who is the giver and sustainer of all life.
This is the type of life we are called to live.
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Editor's note: The Rev. Dr. Scott Stewart is the pastor of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church and Brightwater Methodist Church. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. He can be contacted at [email protected] or 479-659-9519.
Religion on 04/01/2020