12-22-11 Satisfied
I remember being asked, quite sarcastically when I was younger, “Are you satisfied now?” Typically the question came when I was being perceived as annoying and it often resulted in my mother crying or becoming enraged. Being satisfied, then, was never associated with a good thing.
So it was pretty amazing when I was in seminary and studying the Beatitudes to come across this: 6″Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matt. 5:6, NASB). The word for satisfied is often translated filled, but it is a richer word than that. The root refers to an enclosure, or pasture-ground. The verb means to feed or fill with grass; to fatten; to satiate or gorge.
Now a couple things jump out at me immediately with this. First, when was the last time you were gorged? With having just come through Thanksgiving dinner and all the holiday parties we get to graze through, it shouldn’t be too hard to come up with a time. You know how it goes, we’re already full from a wonderful meal and yet somehow we find just enough room to squeeze in a few bites of dessert, with whipped cream, please. And pardon me while I loosen my belt. Hold onto that image and now answer me this: when was the last time you were that satiated spiritually? Are you hungering and thirsting for the things that will truly satisfy?
Then I was thinking about the root word, pasture-ground and enclosure. My mind drifted back to the image of the Good Shepherd (see Psalm 23) who leads his flock to lie down in green pastures. He knows where to put us so that our spirits can be fed, and fed to the fullest. His promise is that if we will hunger after him, he will completely fill us. If you’re not feeling satisfied, full on God, it’s about you—not Him!
So, I’m wondering today: Are you satisfied now? It really is a good thing!
Pot of Manna 