SATISFACTION
Satisfaction
Satisfaction is hard to come by in the modern-day life, which is filled with opportunities and worries. Solomon reflects on this and states a relevant verse,
“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work- this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart” Ecclesiastes 5:19,20
The key to finding satisfaction begins with an active relationship with God. Being created with the need to relate to God, when man rejects God, the foundations are shaken. Solomon centers this whole statement around God, finding Him to be the architect of all that man can experience.
Everyone gains possessions and wealth- be it little or much. The quantity of what he owns does not necessarily make him rich or poor in his own perception. A millionaire can consider himself poor because he still wants more. A person earning a middle-class income might consider himself quite well off. The key is to be able to look at all that he has and be able to acknowledge God as the author of all he has. What that does is translate the experience of owning worldly possessions into an opportunity to praise God. And praise and gratitude are at the center of all satisfaction. Remember gratitude is silly in a vacuum, when there is no object towards which our gratitude is directed to. However, for a person who acknowledges the sovereignty of God and also his provisions in one’s life, gratitude flows out from within and cements satisfaction.
This attitude also enables him to enjoy and spend worldly wealth reasonably rather than just focus on hoarding more with each passing day. Also associated will be an acceptance of his lot. This does not mean that one should not make reasonable efforts to advance in life. However, most people tend to gauge their status and progress in terms of others around them and lose sight of the fact that God might not want them to take unnecessary efforts and trouble to advance further. An acceptance of one’s status in life as determined by God brings satisfaction.
Being happy in one’s toil is critical to finding satisfaction. Loving one’s profession and enjoying the work we are called to do each day is important to find satisfaction. Often, other considerations weigh in and people force themselves to do that which they abhor, leaving one depleted and joyless.
When all of this is true with a recognition that God is the One who provides such a viewpoint, praise and thanksgiving flows out from within. And when gladness is real, life is no longer burdensome. Satisfaction moves from being a mirage to being an oasis for life.
