Question 1

Why did God make me, for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 12:13Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”God made us to glorify and obey him. Only by submitting to his leadership can we find meaning in life.Micah 6:8No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.Matthew 5:5-6“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”Ephesians 2:10We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.God made us to be in a relationship with him and with other people. He made us to brighten the world with love and good works.1 Corinthians 12:4-7There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.God gave each of us spiritual gifts for building up the community of believers.Matthew 25:29“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”God brings us fulfillment, but that fulfillment does not come from sitting around idly. He expects us to use well the resources that he has entrusted to us.

Question 2

Will God really fill the emptiness of my life?

Accepted Answer

John 6:35Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”Jesus is the nourishment that our souls crave. A relationship with him truly satisfies our deepest hunger. He meets our needs, guides us in his plans for us, and offers us peace of mind and eternal life.John 4:13-14Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”Jesus fills our emptiness with his presence. He satisfies our thirst, now and forever.Isaiah 55:1-2“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.”We make substantial investments of time, energy, and financial resources in possessions, clothes, popularity, prestige, and power. But relying on this “food” to fill our lives with meaning will leave us feeling empty. We freely receive what truly satisfies—God himself—by grace through faith.

Question 3

In what can I find real fulfillment?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 16:11You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.Experiencing God’s presence daily and knowing that eventually we will be with him forever gives us meaning, purpose, and joy—real fulfillment.Psalm 128:1-2How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!“Fearing” God means honoring and reverencing him for who he is: our sovereign Creator and sustainer. It means submitting ourselves to him and his will. Fearing God leads to our greatest fulfillment in this life.Habakkuk 3:16-18I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!We can have joy and real fulfillment regardless of our circumstances because we know that we are saved from sin, now and forever.

Question 4

What should I do if I am restless and don’t feel satisfied?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 55:1-2“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.”God is telling us through Isaiah that true and ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction can only be found in him. So when we feel restless, unfulfilled, and dissatisfied, we should consider if we are investing our resources of time, emotion, talent, and finances in unworthy pursuits. If so, we should repent and ask God to reveal the right focus for us and the next steps he would like us to take.Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.Psalm 37:3-4Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.As our divine and loving Shepherd, God will provide everything we need as we submit to him.

Question 5

I find my hobbies and work quite fulfilling. Should I feel guilty about that?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 20:3“You must not have any other god but me.”If we are putting anything in God’s place—even a good career, hobby, or avocation—then we are violating this first of the Ten Commandments, are guilty of idolatry, and should feel guilty.Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”Even if the pursuit is positive and life-giving, it should not be our top priority—seeking God’s Kingdom and living his way should be above all else.Philippians 4:8Now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.This is a good checklist for anything that occupies our time and attention. Is it true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy?Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.1 Corinthians 10:31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.If our pursuits are not sinful, and we have the right values, putting God first, we should do them well “for the glory of God.” Then we can rejoice that God has provided these opportunities to give us feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Question 6

Is real contentment and satisfaction even possible in this life?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 4:11-14I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.Contentment and satisfaction are possible in this life because we can find our strength in Christ, despite our personal crises, setbacks, economic conditions, or other challenges.2 Corinthians 12:8-10Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.Paul had what he called a “thorn in my flesh.” This could have made him discontented, frustrated, and unfulfilled, but he discovered that God could (and would) use his weakness to advance the gospel. Paul found contentment and satisfaction in this life while experiencing “insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles” as he carried out God’s plan for him.1 Timothy 6:6-10True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.Many people, even Christians, pursue fulfillment in financial gain and other “foolish and harmful desires.” But true wealth and fulfillment are found only in godliness, giving all we are and have to God and trusting him for the outcome. We only live once on this earth; let us live it for Christ.

Fulfillment