A Sure Rest

Nothing stokes the fires of covetousness and discontent like holiday advertising! I really didn’t know how unfulfilled my life was until that television commercial roused my dissatisfaction. How quickly sixty seconds can paint needs that did not exist previously! Is this unsatisfied itch for things not true in every one of our lives to one degree or another? Yes, it is so. But how can we escape? After all, we live in a society where the god of materialism reigns. How can I not bow at its altar? The key lies in recognizing and laying hold of the source of true and lasting satisfaction – Jesus Christ.    

Our quest for things is a quest born of unfulfilled desire. We long for something, yet we know not what. We find momentary pleasure and satisfaction in the acquisition of material things. Yet this satisfaction is fleeting. It is a pursuit marked by futility. Jesus said “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).  Since that is true, in what then does man’s life consist?

Christ goes on in his teaching about “things” to answer that question. He says “Seek ye the kingdom of God…for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:31, 34). The point is lasting satisfaction cannot be found in what this world offers. We must look to the next world! Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). More specifically we must set our affection on Christ himself who is the center of all things above. Bridging these two spheres of activity, the Psalmist wrote, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Psalm 73:25).

In order to set my affection on things above, Christ, the coming King, must rule in my heart now on earth. His word must fill my mind shaping my thoughts and directing my steps. His loves must become my loves and, yes, his hates must become my hates. Our lives are then lived in his presence as to an audience of one.

To know Christ is to love Christ. To love Christ is to be satisfied with him and him alone, both now and always. As a believer, we can only be satisfied with Christ when we choose to be. Oftentimes, the cares of this world (Mark 4:19) eclipse our vision of him. We struggle to be content with things that were never designed to bring contentment. Augustine of Hippo said “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee.” So very true! Tell me, friend, where do you look for rest?