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by Gail Rodgers
I’ve said it. I’m sure you have, too. It goes something like this: “I’ll be happy when …we get the new house??? …when I finish this course” …if I get that new job” …when the kids are in school??? …when I find that special ‘someone.’???
And so it goes, with true happiness always just around the next corner. Sound familiar? What is it you are longing for today?
We long for something, in the tomorrow of our lives, that will bring the fulfillment that may be lacking in our today. There is a reason for that.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “God has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” God created you with eternity in your heart. He created each of us with a longing that only the things of eternity will fill.
What are the things of eternity that we can look for today to fulfill that longing? God’s ways are not complicated. He said we needed to come to Him as children, so that means the explanation for this longing in our hearts must be simple. Eternity for God’s children will be filled with the glory of God. The glory of God is simply who God is.
We taste the fulfillment of eternity in our hearts when we show who God is as we live our lives in ways that reveal His character.
* By loving others. When we encounter difficult or unlovable people, we show God’s character by offering love that we get first from Him. You will be surprised at the joy in your heart when you give God’s love away.
* By serving others. Remember when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, even when He knew within hours Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him? When He finished washing, He told them all, “Happy are you if you do this for one another” (John 13). Jesus knew the fulfillment we would find in serving each other. If it’s been a while since you served someone, just to show who God is, find a way today and experience the joy of that fulfillment.
* By our character. Living a life of integrity in all things will bring a deep satisfaction to your soul. Lack of integrity always carries an expensive price tag.
~Heavenly Father,
Help me to show a watching world who You are by the way I live. Today let my life declare the glory of God. Help me to live like Jesus would. Let me taste a bit of what eternity will be like as I allow You to love and serve others through me. As I seek to show who my God is, You will fulfill the longing for eternity that You Yourself have put in my heart. Thank you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Gail Rodgers. Learn more about Gail: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/gail-rodgers/
Going Deeper
1. Consider these questions: What are the things of eternity that we can look for today to fulfill that longing of being content/happy? What is meant when Gail says, “We taste the fulfillment of eternity in our hearts when we show who God is as we live our lives in ways that reveal His character”?
2. Comment on the devotional blog. Interact with others who are reading today’s devotional. Visit http://talk.thelife.com/ and double click on “Comment??? (just under the devotional title).
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4. Related reading
Walking victoriously: http://christianwomentoday.com/growth/stacyj.html
Copyright
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wow the words of our Lord and Savior so ring through that we must first serve if we expect to be served as a mother of 2 fine young men and just recently homless and losing a best freind to a tragic fire. I have beenn so full of pity and why mes and had fallen away .
But this mornings devotion showed me what I need ro do as I renew my walk with our loving savior and I ask prayers he renews a right spirit with in me.
As I was reading this verse (KJV), I read it says, “He hath made everything beautiful in his time:”…at first when I read it I thought it said “in it’s time”. That is where I go wrong most times, I want things done in my time, not His. I need to remember God will supply all my needs, and I need to be content with what I have.
As I read today’s devotional it touched a raw spot. The things I await for my happiness at this time in my life aren’t material things, but things like “when I can sense God’s Presence again”, or “when I can feel a love for Jesus again as I should” then I will be happy. Nevertheless I realize that the same principles apply to acheiving the happiness/joy I desire.
Since Love is Service,then I cannot love/serve God,whom I cannot see without loving/serving my brother or sister whom I can see.
even thou I didn’t get this until very late on jan 10 I’m grateful.
for me I am trying to serve GOD by not letting those who make me angry get to me, ie, I had someone recently tell me that I hadn’t gone with the guy she was engaged to. I told her that yes I did for 3 weeks( i ended the relationship) and I was called a lier. without getting angry with her i just looked at her and said I don’t lie and then walked away. this is coming from a women who has disliked me for years because I refused to babysit for because of the way she wrongly disiplined her children. I have to had to count on GOD for decisions like that in order to get throu life