ONLY GOD SATISFIES AND FULFILLS [True Happiness].
Many people think if they have billions of dollars in their bank accounts they would be happy; if they obtain college degree and secure highly paid job that will bring happiness. College degree is a ticket to making more money and living good life, it surely shall bring more bacon into the purse. Others think if they fetch a particular automobile or jewelry that would spine happiness into their lives. Even then some purchased great mansions with modern facilities and amenities and think that shall add leisure to their pleasure. I’ve heard a young man pondered if I marry a tall beautiful Actress from Hollywood or lady who has passed Nursing board we would live happily together and would be contented. A young lady wishes to marry a rich man even if he’s ugly, it does not matter. She believes they shall live happily and fulfilled. On religious angle, some opined if they are ordained a Pastor, Deacon or an Elder they would be contented member of the church; others believed if they attain a particular Church, baptized at River Jordan and pay their tithe regularly they would go to heaven, be more devoted and be a satisfied Church member. Could these all be true? Are there illusions, presumptions or perhaps wishing thinking? However these reveal that the world and her inhabitance are on quest for real happiness
Billy Graham’s book titled. “The Secret of Happiness” quoted a French philosopher who once opined that the whole world was on a mad quest for security and happiness. The prominent Evangelist added that a Texas millionaire confided that he thought money could buy happiness but he had been miserably disillusioned. Another famous film star once broke down in tears saying, “I have money, beauty, glamour and popularity. I should be the happiest woman in the world but I’m miserable.” This great vessel of the Lord has heard and seen many wealthy people get disenchantment and disillusioned because they have everything to make them happy, satisfied and contented but they are not. He then asked: Are we getting what we want? Are we satisfied, contented and fulfilled? We have in our age and time the best homes, comfortable furniture, finest varieties of food, cleverest gadgets, smoothest freeways, most powerful automobiles, beautiful spouses, fat bank accounts yet we are cold and unhappy, discontented and dissatisfied with ourselves and the world around us.
Our materialistic world quest for things to make them happy, seek pleasure in outward physical things. The more discovery, the more distance we are to nature; the more knowledge we acquire the less wisdom and judgment we exhibit. The more economic power we gain the less security and comfort we have; the more world pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfaction and discontented we are. The more convenience and pleasure we get the less time we have for God and our families. The more degree we obtain the less commonsense we maintain. The more medicine we produced the less wellness we get. It has become common knowledge that as we multiply our possession we reduce our values; we have taller buildings but shorter tempers. We build wider freeways but end up in narrow-mindedness. The same happens as we make higher income but with lower morals; more leisure, lesser fun. The more varieties of food, the lesser nutrition we obtain. We make more money from two or three jobs but less healthy families and more separation and divorce. We buy custom made houses but suffer broken marriages; many who buy these mansions end up living at work. Are we really happy or do we pretend to be happy? Are we getting what we want?
From time immemorial men lie, cheat, steal and kill; war and terrorized to get power, ego and riches, but the more they acquire these riches the less pleasure and free life they lived. Have we found answers to the question why? Could it be that we do not know what really give happiness or we are looking for it in wrong places? We search for peace without the Prince of peace and seek for security and safety without the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Many in Church families have not known Jesus very personally or made Him the Lord and Savior of their lives. They live in religion and allow demons to infiltrate their lives, introducing worldliness into their beliefs. These people quest for happiness by every means and are easily attracted to other gods. They seek satisfaction in gays or lesbians, swinging partners and drugs, etc. They pursue anything that appears to give happiness even when it’s artificial and temporary.
Many have resolved to find happiness anywhere and anyhow. It’s easy to find happiness in sin. Sins are attractive because of the temporary happiness associated with them. There are like stolen sweet water but troubles lie ahead. The devil can give us anything we want but not without hidden cost. We shall pay back in disappointment and disgrace because the devil does not forgive debt or sin. Happiness associated with evil comes with midst feelings: bugging minds, fears and distress. You may enjoy it but because you know it’s wrong, your conscience bothers you. You feel filthy, unsaved and disoriented. When King David realized his sins, he confessed to God saying,” I have sinned; only you have I sinned against.”
There are two types of happiness: superficial and permanent. It’s superficial when life is lived in feelings, in pleasures and free from outward troubles. They initiate themselves into cults and gangs for security and safety but live in fears and turmoil’s. When situation changes the happiness evaporates like the early morning fog in the heat of sun. It changes with mood and for a season. Even when it looks ideal outside there are vacuums inside yearning and hunger for satisfaction. The other is permanent; possess inner joy [different from happiness] and peace and survives all situations. You can be joyful and enjoy peace even in the midst of trials and as you pass through the valley of death. No matter the circumstances of life you pass through, your joy and peace is assured. Such is found in God, through Jesus Christ, His only begotten son [John 4:14, 10:10; 1 John 5:11-12].
In the time of early prophets, Prophet Isaiah observed that people spent money in things that expired, did not satisfy yet they longed for satisfaction and fulfillment. They were not getting their desires. They longed for right things in wrong places. The truth is that only God satisfies and fulfills and only in Him do we find lasting joy and peace. Prophet Isaiah [55:1-5] urged the people of his time and everyone today that is thirsty, to have living water, even if they have no money; to buy food and eat, wine, milk and drink. It cost no money, no pledge or lien and no one checks your credit history. It’s free yet satisfies and gives life because it comes from the Lord. Why do we spend our hard earned income and still get sick, condemnation and dissatisfied as well as dis-oriented? Why spend our life’s earnings on poison, drugs, weapons, terrorism and fueling wars? Yet there’s something that satisfies and fulfills. God is calling us to come and have the best of all drinks and foods without money. In God you will be secured, have lasting joy and enduring peace.
Little wondered Jesus said,’ I’m the living water’ and ‘I’m the bread of life.’ Jesus assured the Samaritan woman at the well that He gives living water and whoever drinks it never taste. It did not matter that his claims provoked and displeased the believing unbelievers. Today, events have continued to prove God and Jesus truthful. Whoever had lived happy sinful life and repented, have tasted the gains of the two worlds and would testify that Jesus is the answer. He satisfies and fulfills. Many are witnesses, including me. You should come to experience Christ personally and witness his love and peace.
Evangelist Godswill Ogbonnaya can be reached by email: weefreeministries@yahoo.com or P. O box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272.