And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
— 2 Corinthians 9:8 (AMP)

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
— Psalms 107:8-9 (NLT)

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could learn and apply life lessons in just one try? Sadly, this has been a struggle for me on more than one occasion. I am totally confident in my relationship with Christ. I know he is my Lord and Savior, but there are times — more than there should be — that I coast on autopilot, relying on my instinctive reactions and failing to trust the Lord to be my everything.

As children, we are asked what we want to be when we grow up, and the big dreams begin. As we continue to grow up, we set goals for ourselves. We seem to always have a plan. This is all very normal, and it enables us reach and surpass our potential. I think the place where it goes off course is when our dreams and plans become what we live for. No achievement, status or salary — or anything those things afford — will ever be enough to sustain us. That’s not the way it works.

In our relationship with God, he longs for us to seek him. We can never have too much of him, but he alone is more than enough. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t aspire to do well in life, but I do know that when I am truly living for Jesus, that is going to be the end result. Allowing God to be what satisfies my soul empowers me with him. My perspective changes. I no longer depend on the world’s temporal view of success and the things that go with it that only lead me to want. Instead, when I pursue Christ, my relationship with him grows. My desires become the same as his. Only then can I be confident in the plans he has for me as he places my steps. Only then can I be content with the fullness of Christ. Only then can I have peace and true joy.

The words of an old hymn that my dad used to sing have continually played over in my head throughout this week. I’ve included some of the lyrics here. May they resonate with you as well.

There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

[Fill My Cup Lord by Richard Blanchard, © 1959]