My Sole Satisfaction

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
- Isaiah 55:2 -

How often we find ourselves longing after earthly comforts, and we discover that the more we long for them, the more miserable we feel.  We long for material comforts, for recognition and an easy life.  But the most intense longing I find in me is still the longing for companionship - for friends and relationships.  But I am denied them.  Why?  Surely the Lord does not delight to see his child pine away.  Will he not satisfy my soul? Yes he will, and in all these he seems to be saying, "My child, why do you seek comfort in these things, and place your confidence in men?  Do you desire relationships?  You cannot make men love you, nor can you hope that their love for you will never fail.  Neither will they give you their attention every time you want it.  Do you want recognition?  What is the praise of men that makes it so attractive?  Will they not change their impression of you and speak ill of you the moment you fumble?  What about possessions?  You will spend all your energy working for them and they will be spent and pass away before you can ever be satisfied." Why do I long for things that the Lord has chosen to withhold?  Even companionship, which is so dear to me?  Why should I set my eyes on things that are fleeting, and pity myself over things that I do not have?  Why not rather take my eyes off these things and focus on what I already have in Christ?  He has given me every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3).  He has given me eternal life and everlasting love.  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things (Rom 8:32)?  Why should I feel sorry for that which he has not given when he has already given me so much?  Come, let me fix my eyes on Christ and what I have in him, and my longing for earthly things shall fade away. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Col 3:2, Matt 6:21)