Sunday...

A few thoughts from the EBC weekend celebrations (April 29-30, 2006) Philippians 3.4-7

So you've spent your whole life searching for satisfaction and joy. You've looked under the stones of self discovery. You've climbed the mountain of education. You've fought bravely to prove yourself worthy of respect. You've worked tirelessly to accomplish all you can in the time you've had. And now you find yourself, like the apostle Paul, standing in the middle of the road...covered in the dust of self-righteousness...eyes wide open and unable to see anything. Feels pretty empty doesn't it?

Well, there's really good news for you. God sent His son Jesus to provide the joy and satisfaction you've been searching for. Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and have it to the fullest!" Yes, that is a future promise but it has a present fulfillment. The abundant life Jesus promises begins today.

Paul had spent his life searching for satisfaction in his family name, his education, his achievements, his work, his personal righteousness, and even his religion. Then one day as he was traveling to another city to persecute Christians, he met Jesus. The immediate result was harsh. His eyes were closed shut as he stood at a crossroads of personal accomplishment and total surrender. He was covered in the dust of trying to find of satisfaction on his own but his heart was opened to God. He had finally found what he'd been looking for. It was God - not the god of religion - the true God - the God who loved him and sent His son to purchase his heart.

In that moment, Paul voluntarily laid his heart down before God. He surrendered his past and all its accomplishments and traded it all in for a personal walk with God. How about you? Still believe that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow of your personal achievements? Still believe that you can fabricate your own joy? Still believe that you can find your happiness is a man or woman, a job, an education, a bank account, a family name, a promotion, possessions, the lottery, or anything else other than God. Sorry, there is no pot of gold.

God wants your heart. Will you give it to Him right now and find the joy and satisfaction you've been searching for? Have a thought? Click on comments below and add your thoughts to the journey....

Andy Stallings