We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. 1 Timothy 6:7-8

Satisfied? That is one thing we are not. We are not satisfied. We take a vacation of a lifetime. We satiate ourselves with sun, fun, and good food. But we are not even on the way home before we dread the end of the trip and begin planning another. We are not satisfied. As a child we say, “If only I were a teenager.” As a teen we say, “If only I were an adult.” As an adult, “If only I were married.” As a spouse, “If only I had kids.” We are not satisfied. Contentment is a difficult virtue. Why? Because there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing. We long to see God. The leaves of life are rustling with the rumor that we will — and we won’t be satisfied until we do.

~ When God Whispers Your Name

Made for Heaven

My kingdom does not belong to this world. — John 18:36

Unhappiness on earth cultivates a hunger for Heaven. By gracing us with a deep dissatisfaction, God holds our attention. The only tragedy, then, is to be satisfied prematurely. To settle for earth. To be content in a strange land. We are not happy here because we are not at home here.

We are not happy here because we are not supposed to be happy here.

We are  like foreigners and strangers in this world. — 1 Peter 2:11

And you will never be completely happy on earth simply because you were not made for earth. Oh, you will have your moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead.

~ When God Whispers Your Name
Sacred Delight

Those people who know they have great spiritual needs are happy, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. — Matthew 5:3

God promises sacred delight. And He promises it to an unlikely crowd:

• “The poor in spirit.” Beggars in God’s soup kitchen
• “Those who mourn.” Sinners Anonymous bound together by the truth of their introduction, “Hi, I am me. I’m a sinner.”
• “The merciful.” Winners of the million-dollar lottery who share the prize with their enemies
• “The pure in heart.” Physicians who love lepers and escape infection
• “The peacemakers.” Architects who build bridges with wood from a Roman cross
• “The persecuted.” Those who manage to keep an eye on Heaven while walking through hell on earth. It is to this band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.

~ The Applause of Heaven

Excerpted with permission from Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado.