Are you satisfied?

‘Time in the Word’ By Clayton Adams

Satisfaction is defined as “The fulfillment or gratification of a desire, need or appetite.”

Recently I read an online article about the ten worst jobs in America. According to CareerCast.com the worst jobs in America included; Taxi driver, Logger, Newspaper Reporter, Retail Salesperson, Enlisted Military Service Personnel, Corrections Officers, Disc Jockey, Broadcaster, Advertising Sales Person and Pest Control Worker.

The list was decided based on four core criteria; Environment, Income, Outlook and Stress.

Most people become discouraged in their job when they no longer feel valued or are not being fulfilled. While it’s true that most everyone wants to be paid more money, what is equally true is that most everyone also wants job satisfaction. Satisfaction is so desired that many will choose a lessor paying job for increased job satisfaction in another role.

In the very personal and reflective letter of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon wrote about his experiences searching for satisfaction and fulfillment. Solomon did not restrain himself in his search for satisfaction, he wrote, “I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So, enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish.” “All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor” (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 10).

Solomon summed up all his efforts to obtain satisfaction, “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after the wind and there was no benefit under the sun” (Eccl. 2:11). Solomon comes to his conclusion, “Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me” (Eccl 3:1).

To find satisfaction in anything or anyone other than God draws us away from God. I know this because I have experienced this. Solomon knew this and more than likely you have experienced this too.

We believe the next job, next relationship, next trip, next whatever or more money will bring satisfaction but all these cannot fill the desire for satisfaction in the human heart. Only the One who created the heart can satisfy the heart.

There is a saying, “All pleasure has a price, for the best kind of pleasure you pay for it before the experience and for the worst kind of pleasure you pay for it after.” How many times do we pay for our pleasure and satisfaction and discover as Solomon did, it was not what we hoped it would be?

The rock group the Rolling Stones’ popular song speaks to this topic – “I can’t get no satisfaction, ‘cause I try and I try and I try and I try, I can’t get no satisfaction…” Satisfaction is elusive.

The apostle Paul wrote about being satisfied, “Not that I speak from want, for 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).

When the apostle Paul was saved (Acts 9), he did not know that his life was to bring glory to God. The trials and tribulations he lived were amazing. But these trials and troubles are the very things that taught Paul how to be “content.”

During the struggles of life, perhaps the only way to endure, succeed and to become satisfied is following the example of Jesus. We read, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

There is something far greater in front of you that is to be in heaven, with Jesus, with other Believers – this is the “joy” that we must look on during our troubles. This joy is to be our satisfaction.

Are you satisfied with your life? I am not always satisfied but I do know what to look at to keep me moving forward. Like Paul, I am learning, are you?

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@ gmail.com.