One day syndrome

Is it just me, or do you also live for one day... one day when I get married, one day I when I own a beautiful house, one day when I have kids, one day when my kids go to school, one day when my kids are out of school, one day when I have a new phone/car, one day when I get a better job, earn that much then.. then what?! Then I will be happy. Ok we probably never say these things aloud, but secretly in our heart we think them.  What is it about the human heart that seems to never be satisfied (see Prov 27:20).  I think God created us with this huge vacuum in us, that is never truly satisfied apart from Him. It is this disaisfaction that drives us towards God. And sometimes we think the God vacuum is only for un-believers, but when we come to know Christ it is like we have tasted true water and need to come again and again to be filled by Him. That is why Paul, very much a strong Christian speaks of how he presses on to know God more (Phil 3). You see recently I’ve been looking to things and people to fill me, and it leaves me dry and thirsty. God showed me that “ohne dich (Gott) is alles doff”, meaning that if without God everything else is meaningless.

So how do we go from one day syndrome to saying like Paul, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” Phil 4:11. I think the important word is learned, you see it’s a process. I believe part of the process involves bringing your need to God. If for example I want a boyfriend, I can ask myself why- and then I realize it is because I feel lonely; then I ask God to fill that lonely spot with His loving presence. Because you see my need is not for a guy, but to feel I am not alone- which is something only God can truly do. Ok lets take a phone, why do I feel I want a new phone- do I desire status to feel acceptance, again I can bring that need for acceptance to the LORD. Please don’t understand me wrong it is not wrong to desire any things I mentioned in this blog, but I know that if God is not in it I don’t want it. Moses desired God’s presence more than His presents (see Exodus 33) and I want my heart to be the same.

The other way to overcome one day syndrome, is to be thankful here and now- the fact that I have a phone (even if its old), that I have Jesus, that I have family, that I have food etc. Let’s be thankful and count our blessings.  A good book on this is 1000 Gifts, if you get a chance go read it.

May the LORD bless you with a thankful heart for today

May the LORD keep you thirsty for HIM

May He make His face shine upon you as He fills you with Himself

And may God bless you with completeness in Him.