“When Christ becomes our central focus, contentment replaces our anxiety as well as our fears and securities.” – Charles Swindoll

I don’t know why but it happened a lot while I was in high school and hasn’t happened since.

I used to wake up in the middle of the night and my throat felt like a desert. I would awaken so thirsty that it was impossible for me to find rest until I had something to drink.

So, I would drag myself out of bed, climb the stairs, and saunter into the kitchen. I would use what little strength I had at 2 o’clock in the morning to pry open the refrigerator and pull out the jug of chocolate milk. After drinking two or three glasses, I would finally feel my extreme thirst quenched and make my way back to bed.

For the longest time, I’ve kept a bottle of water next to my bed but I’ve never needed it.

I think a lot of our problems as humans derive from being unsatisfied. We are always looking for things to fill the void in our hearts. We try to fill it with possessions, addictions, distractions, sex, but nothing seems to work. Sure, these things may cause short-term pleasures, but we always find ourselves, once again, unsatisfied.

I don’t think there is anyone who would say, “You know what, I think I’m okay with not being content.” Or “Being fulfilled just doesn’t appeal to me.” Everyone is seeking that thing that will fill them up. They are searching for that thing that will give them never-ending satisfaction and comfort.

There are a lot of people around us looking for fulfillment in the wrong places. But we know where there is more than fulfillment. We know where there is “over-fulfillment”.

Look at Scripture:

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5).

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107: 8-9).

The only thing that can fill that void inside each and every one of us is Jesus Christ. He sees that we are hungry for Himself, so he spreads a table before us and says, “Eat and eat until your full.” He sees that we are thirsty for the Living Water, so He brings around a pitcher of His grace and fills our cup until it spills out, “Drink and drink until you thirst no more.” He sees that we are cold and that we desire the warmth of His love, so He picks us up and lays us beside the blazing fire of his passion saying, “I love you so much.”

Parents: Read your children these Psalms. Tell them how everyone desires fulfillment and Jesus is the only one that can offer complete satisfaction.