Seasons of Discontent

I know now why God teaches us to listen to older and wiser godly counsel. Man is basically discontented. Man's appetite is insatiable. Our society in particular feeds this discontent. We want more, better, stronger, shinier, more exciting, and cutting edge. It is a never ending pursuit. Once we "get it" it is gone and we seek the next new thing. We dress our pursuit up in church clothes and make it sound like we just are wanting to save our children or "get fed" better quality of food. It seems to be a spiritual pursuit, but old men know it is not.

In John 6 the subject is bread. But it is not "bread" but looking for what satisfies this restless discontent inside of man. These folks following after Jesus were convinced that what they wanted was what they needed. Jesus switched the conversation on them. They wanted bread that satisfied body and soul (soma and psuche). Body and soul cannot be satisfied. In 6:33 Jesus tells them what they need, i.e. life (zoe). They are not sure what that is but they figure it is good and immediately ask for it (just as the woman at the well did when Jesus offered her living [Zoe] water.) They were thinking magic water and bread that was a quick fix for what they craved. Jesus tells them "I am the bread of life (zoe)."

Paul had a similar struggle with discontent in 1 & 2 Corinthians. Read 1 Corinthians 1-2. They were chasing cutting edge, human worldly wisdom and signs. They were looking for the "strong" things of the world to meet their insatiable need for relevance and fulfillment. They were even critical of Paul because he wasn't a polished preacher. The vessel didn't shine like the Greek orators did. Paul's response was to give them personal weakness and Jesus crucified. Neither Paul nor Jesus bought into the underlying premise of the crowd. Paul was personally weak, but powerful in Jesus. He was an earthen vessel, unimpressive but full of treasure, the truly valuable.

Let me be clear. If you find a church where people truly love you and show it through service and relationships and where Jesus is preached in truth and spirit, stay, enjoy it, share in it, promote it, encourage it, strengthen it, and stop searching for more. There is nothing greater or better. Zoe life is found in Jesus and in those who know Jesus. Tell your children there is no need to go look for it. We have it. We may not have the best building, the most thrilling "praise band", the biggest youth group, the largest paid staff, the endless variety of programs and groups, and on and on. But we have Jesus and solid, loving relationships which is worth more than the world.

Yesterday I saw what people were looking for. One of our sisters was stricken down in pain during ladies Bible class. 911 was called and she was taken to the hospital. When I arrived the entire ladies Bible class was sitting in the waiting room, and most stayed the rest of the day until she was released. One drove her home. Another went to pick up dinner with money supplied by another. And two more later drove her car back home. Why would anyone want more than that?