By Ps Bojan Palić
Have you ever set a goal, worked tirelessly towards it, trusting that God would bless your efforts, and then when you finally achieved it, you felt… underwhelmed? That sense of, “Is this all there is?” I believe many of us have been there, and today I want to discuss why that happens.
I’ve come to realise that we often feel a sense of disappointment because we’re trying to fill a God-shaped void in our souls with worldly achievements. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, but imagine that the round hole is the size of the universe, and our accomplishments are tiny squares. They simply don’t fit.
This God-shaped hole within us can only be filled by God’s presence. When we chase external things to satisfy this craving, we miss the point. The blessings from God are not the issue, it’s when we expect these blessings to fill what only God is meant to fulfill that leads to disappointment.
Jesus demonstrated this when He fed the 5,000. He gave them food for their physical hunger, but He also desired to satisfy a deeper spiritual hunger. Jesus doesn’t just want us to desire His blessings; He wants us to desire Him. Yet, we often mistake the fulfillment of God’s promises for the ultimate satisfaction when, in reality, it’s only through His presence that we can find true contentment.
In John 20:31, we read that signs and miracles are recorded so we might believe that Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name. The miracles weren’t just proof of power; they were invitations to a relationship with Jesus Himself. But, if we prioritise the gift over the Giver, aren’t we missing the mark?
We can easily fall into a consumerism mindset within our faith, always seeking more of God’s blessings without seeking God Himself. But God’s kingdom doesn’t function on consumerism; it functions on contribution.
What we need to understand is that God blesses us not just because He loves us, which He undoubtedly does, but so that we may come to know Him better. Our response to His blessings should lead us toward Him. Faith is not a substitute for works, but rather the foundation from which pleasing works flow out naturally.
When we truly understand salvation – the greatest miracle – and accept Jesus, we should respond in worship. Worship isn’t just about singing songs during service; it’s living a devoted life unto God, holding onto Him, trusting, and relying on Him.
As believers, we’re called to serve, not out of obligation, but out of a love for Jesus and what He has done for us. Service becomes an expression of our lifestyle of worship.
Jesus teaches us to lift our eyes beyond the material and onto spiritual realities. He invites us to put our confidence in Him instead of earthly riches that leave us ultimately unfulfilled. For Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life.” Whoever comes to Him will never go hungry or thirst again. True life is knowing God intimately, believing in Him, and letting that belief transform how we live.
In closing, my encouragement to you is to stop chasing things that will never satisfy. Instead, pursue a relationship with God, engage with Him, and let your life reflect that devotion. When you truly know Jesus, you won’t need anyone to urge you to seek Him – you’ll want to, because you’ll have found something that fills every void in your heart, something that no earthly achievement could ever match.
Remember, while the world may leave us feeling empty, Jesus promises eternal satisfaction. It’s time to stop chasing after the perishable and start pursuing the everlasting sustenance that only He can provide.
