It is never enough.
I recall meeting a young man, one who had just been called to start his first church many years ago, who spoke of the tears he shed when contemplating all those lost souls out there. When I met him over two decades later, and asked him is he still shed those tears, he chuckled as he said “No.”
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9)
As much time passes in our lives, we will become callous towards many things from our past, the death of loved ones, a heart-breaking divorce, watching as one we witnessed to about the love of Christ many years ago still living in sin unrepented of.
The world says, “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” the Word of God speaks truth. “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Prov. 13:12)
Certain memories in our minds may in part fade away, we even alter some of them to our liking, but unless they are completely forgotten, we will remember much we would just as soon forget.
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Rev. 2:5)
But it is never enough, we cannot recall fully, and with the same emotional content, that moment when the Holy Spirit entered into our life and our eyes were opened, we cannot recall that incredible feeling of the moment we led that first person to the cross and they gave God the glory, leaving this world behind, and began to follow Christ.
The memories are there, what can best be described as that “emotional context” is not. And so, it is never enough, we continuously search for something, that feeling if you will, that we should not pursue.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2nd Cor. 5:7)
Here is the reason the lies of the charismatic cult deceive so many, why false prophets are listened to that should be rebuked and rejected, why many stand behind the pulpit in so many churches scratching those itchy ears. It is never enough, they want that emotion to return, they want that feeling of enlightenment, of rapturous joy, refusing sound doctrine and allowing their hearts to deceive them.
These mistake happiness for the joy of the Lord, they will never know true contentment, for no matter what it is in this regard that enters into their life, it will never be enough.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)
How much is enough for you, my friends?
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8)
I will grant you this, those who study to show themselves approved find comfort and great joy when the Holy Spirit reveals a new truth to us from the Word of God, but we never feel as if we have studied enough. Those who have been blessed to witness one they have spoken to come to the knowledge of the truths of the Scriptures, and have been saved by His grace through faith, brings an unspeakable joy and happiness into our lives, but it is never enough, there is a sea of humanity out there who do not yet know Him.
But you must contemplate this, all that you do for the Lord, are you doing so for His glory, or are you trying to obtain that uplifting emotion for yourself?
See this truth.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” (2nd Tim. 3:2)
Who are you serving, the Lord Jesus Christ, or your own heart that will deceive you every time? If you need to feel good about the work you perform for the Almighty, how will you feel about Him when He decides to leave you in that dry and thirsty land for a long season?
If you are looking for happiness, you will never know the joy of the Lord.
