Text: Isaiah 44:1-28, Isaiah 45:1-25, Romans 14:10-11, Revelation 22:12-13
After countless rave reviews, I just had to see the modern-day movie musical La La Land. Actors Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were charming as per usual, and as they sang and danced across the screen, the audience seemed to buzz along with the energy of the film’s message: Don’t settle. Chase your dreams. Pursue your passions. Follow your heart.
It’s a message that speaks to our deepest longings. We want to cry out in unison, “Yes! This!” We want a life lived to the fullest.
We all have dreams and desires. Our heavenly Father knows the longings of our hearts just as surely as He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). But our hearts can lead us astray (Jeremiah 17:9). It can be a struggle to know if our desires are from the Lord or from our brokenness.
As a counselor, I often hear people say, “If I just had _____, I would be happy.” You can fill in that blank with a job, a possession, a relationship, or any number of different things. We’ve all fallen prey to this way of thinking.
The trouble with putting all your hopes for happiness in a dream is that the dream will, at some point, fall short of what it promises. You get the new job, and six months later you feel restless again. You start a promising relationship, but still feel a crushing loneliness. You lose the weight, but still struggle to see your beauty and worth.
We are always unsatisfied when we look to this world to satisfy us. Only God can satisfy our desires for peace, justice, and beauty. Only God can fulfill His promises. We create idols when we worship people or jobs or dreams, as if they have the power to save us.
Why do we still ache for what God has already promised? Because we live in a fallen world. We cry out to the Lord for justice where we see injustice, and for peace where we see strife. As C.S. Lewis said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” We feel unsatisfied because ultimately we are longing for heaven, where we will be in the presence of Christ.
Our hearts are made for the new heaven and new earth, where all of God’s promises will be perfected. But even in this present time, we get a taste of heaven because we live in a time of “already and not yet.” God has already defeated death but His full plan has not yet reached its great culmination. God has already fulfilled His promises in the coming of Christ, yet we still live in a broken world that leaves us feeling unsatisfied. God has already executed justice for all, and yet injustice will linger in this world until He comes again.
When you feel tempted to look for satisfaction outside of God, remember that your loving Father is the only one who can fulfill your heart’s desires. There is no god besides Yahweh (Isaiah 44:6). For now we live within the tension of this temporal world and our eternal home, but the Lord has fulfilled His promises in Jesus and He will come again to set all things right.
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
-Revelation 22:12-13
Kaitie Stoddard is a professional counselor who recently relocated from Chicago to Colorado with her husband. She has her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is passionate about helping couples and families find healing in their relationships. On any given weekend you’re likely to find Katie snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains, checking out new restaurants with friends, or catching up on her favorite Netflix and podcast series.
Alpha and Omega
What refreshing security to know He was always before me and He is in control through the end. Nothing is outside of Him. Even in my difficulty he is there, providing, sustaining.
I love your explanation of Alpha and Omega. Thank you for sharing today!
I’ve been facing heart aches and difficulties the last few days. Actually on and off for the past three years. I cling to the one in only who can get me through this and that my Jesus. Prayers are so appreciated. I’ve been in this valley for too long and would like it for it to be over. For today my family and I want to enjoy our son who turns 16 years old today. Im blessed for the most part he is a great kid, typical teenager however he loves Jesus and loves to serve Him. We the parents are so proud of him as he just got back from a weeklong missions trip during his spring break. Serving others in Mexico.
Praying for you, Mari! Happy birthday to your son!
Thank u Clare
Praying for you, Mari. Asking the Lord to lift your eyes and your spirit and to comfort you with His Word. Grateful for you!
– Stormye
Amen. Praying for you, Mari.
Oh Stormye Thank you!
Isn’t that the truth? We can spend our whole life trying to find happiness when it’s right in front of us. I love that joy can ALWAYS be found because of Jesus.
http://www.in-due-time.com
Exactly what the heart needed today! Thank you!
It’s crazy how we so quickly forget this truth! We all do this. We all tend to look for comfort and worth in things around us, things we desire. Even when we know that they cannot fulfill us wholly. I have been struggling with this truth because I have so many goals and dreams, and that’s okay, but not when I am putting my hope in those things. My hope and trust and confidence can only be in God.
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
the time of the piece is divine. Thank You! We Wait On You Father. #comelordjesus
This was so timely…God has been working out this truth in my life! I so quickly fall prey to the world’s lies of what brings peace and joy instead of resting on the one true Rock. Thank you Katie for your wise words!
44:25 really spoke to me today after a long day in court for my one year old foster daughter yesterday. If you’ve ever been in those courtrooms you will know what I mean when I say there is so much foolishness, so much. The case against her Mom is flimsy at best and it’s tragic in some ways that she can’t be home with her; and simultaneously there are real concerns; and simultaneously not a single lawyer did their job well. “It is I who overturns wise counsel and makes their wisdom seem foolish.” Today’s devotional reminded me that ultimately our court dates are an absolute minuscule part of God’s great plan for her: God formed her in her mothers womb…for a purpose! All the lawyers and judges their opinion is nothing to God’s power and plan. God is redeeming her, day by day by day, faithfully. It is only my job to submit to God’s plans and be faithful in what God called me to do and trust what God has promised, “I will pour my spirit in your descendants and my blessings on your offspring!”
Thank you for serving God by being a foster parent. You are doing great works! I know it is hard to see how broken our system is…but it is like you said: in the brokenness we are driven to see the truth that God is in control and has the plans. Blessing to you!
I hear you, Cate! I’ve been on the opposite site of those courtrooms. And when I felt that my case goes wrong, I prayed that God would change atty/judge minds and it would turn in different direction. And God was making miracles. So, do not loose your spirit and pray, and hope like God did it already. Much love to you my dear.
You are awesome! Thank you for sharing part of your story with us today.