A Cup Unfilled

One might think that after obtaining wealth that one would feel satisfied. However, research suggest that nearly 15-20% of people remain unfulfilled even after becoming wealthy, indicating that achieving various desires does not necessarily lead to lasting fulfillment. Which makes it all the more disappointing to consider spending years aspiring and working tirelessly to acquire wealth, status, relationships and material possessions only to arrive and still feel empty.

So then the question arises, If true fulfillment doesn't derive from 'having it all' as we often perceive it, where does it come from? In John 4, Jesus sits by a well when a Samaritan woman comes along to draw water, a social and cultural practice that she along with many others did daily. He asks her for a drink and as their conversation unfolds, He reveals a truth. This symbol of satisfaction, could never truly fulfill.

It is my belief that He saw the deficit within her heart, the longing, the deep dissatisfaction. This unmet desire, which led to a cycle of sin, a cycle of searching, a continual pursuit of something that never satisfies. Jesus then goes on to state that this natural thing (this well) lacked the ability to satisfy totally. Any satisfaction it offered was fleeting, requiring you to return again and again. Then he identifies the source of true satisfaction, true fulfillment - Himself.

Jesus begins to touch that place deep within her, bringing it forward into the light. And being the solution, he told her in so many words that "I'm the one you've been in search of." "I'm the one that you need." "I'm the one that can fill to overflow, this longing within you." Yes, some of the things we seek do bring a measure of happiness, but the satisfaction doesn't last long.

Jesus says in Matthew 6 to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." It is an inevitable truth, that seeking to fill our cup, our lives with earthly things will always leave our cups unfilled. Yet seeking the one who is the giver of it all, will fill our cup until it overflows.

Think about this: What are you relying on to bring fulfillment?

Ask yourself: If those things didn't happen, if they didn't exist would you feel empty?