The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, “He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!”

~Matthew 11:19 NLT

“I want to go to big-boy school,” he said—but he didn’t. He got it, but didn’t want it. 

Our middle grandson—three at the time—thought he wanted to go to school. And he had mastered what we told him he had to before he could go: going to the potty. Now he was ready for summer to end and school to start. Until after the first day.

His visit to the room before enrolling went well. He played with the toys. I suppose he thought that was all he would do for the entire day. When the second day rolled around, his excitement vanished. Instead of “I want to go to big-boy school,” he loudly proclaimed, “I don’t want to go to big-boy school.”

By the second day, he had figured out work was involved in this school thing. I dropped him off in his room and listened to him scream as I walked away. Although he soon quieted down, he was no more ready to go to school the following day than he had been the second day. He got what he wanted, but didn’t want it when he got it.

Jesus also faced a group of unsatisfied people. John the Baptist came along, living a minimalist lifestyle and preaching harshly, and the religious authorities didn’t like Him. Jesus followed with a party lifestyle, but they didn’t like Him either.

I suppose I could make a long list of things I thought I wanted, but things that didn’t satisfy me after I got them. Possessions and relationships might top the list. Like a child with a new toy, I experienced satisfaction only for a short time.

“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

~Philippians 4:12 NLT

 

When we believe God has a plan for us and is executing it, we can experience satisfaction—even though the plan may not look anything like the one we had imagined. At the same time, we’ll continue to move toward God’s goal with our best efforts, knowing we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. A delicate balance, but one Christ helps us maintain.

Don’t be satisfied with just anything. Be satisfied with what and whom God brings into your life.

What steps can you take to learn satisfaction in all circumstances?

Father God, help me to want only those things You want.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Got it, Didn’t Want It: Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved