“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.“
Proverbs 13:12
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DECEMBER 23, 2024
Fulfillment is a tricky little word. It makes us think of satisfaction or happiness—especially this week! We clamor for decorations, sparkly lights, and presents, charitable giving that leaves us feeling awesome, forever memories with family and friends, restored relationships, and scrumptious groan-inducing meals. This time of year, we scream with one voice: “Satisfy us!!”
We live in a country fueled by desire fulfillment. The third (recently first) richest man in the world has populated the U.S. with Amazon Fulfillment Centers, complete with reassuringly bright blue delivery trucks carrying hope and promises with them wherever they go. We experience the feeling of fulfillment when we get the job we were hoping for, when we are out of debt or healed from a disease, when we finally get married or have a baby, when our political cause experiences a victory, or when we have a deeply satisfying meal with close friends. For a moment, we experience satisfaction and completeness.
But it doesn’t last. These euphoric experiences do not really bring us fulfillment.
The kind of fulfillment we will be reflecting on this week has absolutely nothing to do with anything I’ve said so far.
As we celebrate, remember, and reflect upon the birth of the Christ this week, may we quiet our minds and hearts and have ears to hear afresh what the Word has to say.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What does the word fulfillment mean to you?
- What kinds of experiences and situations enable you to feel fulfilled?
- What type of fulfillment are you chasing?
Church Reading Plan: Zechariah 10; John 13