Proverbs 13:4
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
One obvious reason the lazy person is not filled, and the determined person is satisfied, is follow thru, or lack thereof.
A sluggard does not finish anything. He starts many things perhaps, but with no fulfilling of any end goal. But a determined, diligent person will see something thru to completion. There is great satisfaction in that, even in the trivial.
Learning the cool parts of songs on guitar is fun, but taking the time to learn a complete song, beginning to end, to the point of playing it with others, in front of people, is extremely satisfying. It is way more fulfilling than just knowing short parts to a bunch of songs.
Do you finish what you begin?
Do you see things thru to completion?
Do you start many things without following them thru to completion?
Do you have too many irons in the fire, dabbling in much, mastering nothing or very little?
How fulfilled do you think you would be if you spent the bulk of your energy on your relationship with Christ everyday?
Proverbs 13:19
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
One thing that will definitely keep you from a satisfying life is holding on to sin.
And we so hold on. It has become a part of our very being, our daily functioning. It is hard to let go. But it only serves to inhibit us from abundant life, from knowing full fellowship with God thru Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this is why John the Baptist’s message to repent was so vital in order to clear the way for Jesus and His kingdom. He knew nothing could be fighting for your attention if you are going to live fully under God’s reign.
This is the pruning of John 15. The gardner would cut away the part of the branch that was inhibiting the sap from getting all the way thru. And it was not a cutting away from external things, but that which was internal growth.
This is painful.
But the freedom gained and experience of Life far outweigh the painful surgery.
Remember to keep your eyes always on what is gained, not upon that which will be lost. Count the cost of both cutting something away as well as keeping something toxic in.
Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Jesus looks to stir His hearers to sacrifice whatever is necessary for treasure that is greater and beyond any here on earth.
A key word in this passage seems to be “found.” When these peeps found this item of great value, they then acted upon it decisively.
You know when you have found something of great value. You act upon it, typically without much hesitation or even reservation, proportionately to its value to you. The more you value something, the more you are willing to give up for it. (Perhaps this is a better way of saying “Whatever something costs you is exactly what it is worth to you.”) Those who have truly found Christ and experienced His immeasurable value, have acted decisively to make Him Lord of their life. Some things are easier to give up than others, sure, but the more you experience Him, the easier it does become to shed away all that blocks you from Him.
You turn from things because they harm your highly valued relationship with Him, not merely because you’re not suppose to do this or that, or because it is against the rules. Christ is much deeper than that.
Have you truly found the kingdom of God?
If you can’t say for sure, perhaps you should keep searching, and search diligently. For all who diligently search, do find. This is promised us.
If you have not found it, perhaps ask yourself, “How hard have I been looking?”