“So, as soon as you get filled, you find you really only saw a little piece of the whole of your life that He wants.”

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ….. 6: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Being filled is a place of comfort in Christ.  We all want to be “fat and happy”.  When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, He causes that to happen.  Not only does He fill us with the righteousness for which we are hungry and thirsty, but He fills us with all other areas.  Connected with Christ, we find fulfillment in every area of life.  Seeking Him and His righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit, will bring us to fulfillment.  Our family, relationships, work, community, and mental contentment will be satisfied.  That is not just some promise.  It is truth. 

Now, of course, He wants you to stay hungry.  “Fat and happy” usually leads to “quick to judge others”.  So, as soon as you get filled, you find you really only saw a little piece of the whole of your life that He wants.  Then you get hungry again and go looking and find bigger answers and that process never stops.

Jesus changed the community to desire righteousness.  People just were not satisfied with living according to the world’s mandates after meeting Him.  They immediately showed a dissatisfaction with life as it was when connected to Christ.  We still do.  But He satisfies.  He brings us to answers.

As I work on this I am 12 years older than when I first wrote it.  Today I am sitting in Starbucks reviewing notes on fathering in preparation to talk to families tonight.  I feel so inadequate.  I feel really hungry.  Old answers just seem hollow.  And, then again, some of the old answers are still good and have proven over time to help me grow.  Looking into the mirror of time, it is obvious He has changed me to love people more and listen more instead of being so quick with precooked solutions.  There is a tolerance and acceptance that people are on a journey and we will get there when we get there.

So I deleted the old story that was put in here in 2006, because I am not the same man and it needs to be retold.  Hunger still grips me.  Thirst to see people and families content and compassionate and connected burns in my soul.  Back then, I just thought about me and my 36 square feet of space.  Yes, I am content but not satisfied.  I am comfortable but not sitting.  I am confident but still seeking. 

ACT!  Filled?  Hungry?  Thirsty?  Check out that which hungers you.  When do you look for more?  Is it in relation to Christ’s fulfillment in your life?  Is it in relation to something else?  Get hungry for His righteousness, His right living, and being positioned totally in Him.  That hunger will lead you to satisfaction beyond measure.  Write down two items for which you are hungry in Him right now.   Just like the “Snickers” commercial.  You are only satisfied if you eat it.  Search the scriptures on those areas.  Memorize the words that apply.

PRAY!   Father, I hunger for my family to be complete in You.  That is my hunger.  I wish to see all my friends connected to Christ.  There will never be a total satisfaction in me, Father, until I see my community committed to living fully in You and by charactered and moral principles revealed in Your word.  Satisfy my soul, Lord.  Show me a way to advance the righteousness of the kingdom in my family and friends and community this week.  Don’t let me sit on the sidelines.  Launch me into action.

 If we can pray for you regarding anything in your life, please let me know.  It is an honor when trusted to bless others in prayer. .  www.communitytransformationinitiative.org   Phil@shepherdok.com