Sonship Living Brings Fulfillment

Sonship Living Brings Fulfillment

I just watched my niece receive her bachelor’s degree today. To me it’s always exciting to see graduates getting their diplomas. It’s such an accomplishment. There were some getting their masters and doctorate degrees too. Lots of hard work, studying and writing goes into that single piece of paper we all frame and put above our desks. It makes a statement.

One person taught that the objective of man is not to be happy, but to be fulfilled. I love this statement. Many times we run after the pursuit of happiness but we never obtain it. Maybe this is because “happiness” isn’t what we’re really looking for — fulfillment is.

Accomplishing any goal brings that sense of fulfillment, whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail or cleaning out the garage. I remember the feeling I felt when I finished my first marathon, it was overwhelming. I cried. I had never in my life dreamed I could have accomplished such a feat, but it started when I ran my first mile. I believe small achievements lead to bigger ones.

Though unfortunately there are those in our society that have a victim or welfare mentality – they want things given to them, to be taken care of by someone else, and have no desire to work and build anything themselves. I read something from a newspaper article recently that was a note to teenagers and young people that said it is they who owe society their gifts and talents rather than society owing them. They are young and strong, intelligent and skilled; it is they who can change the world. There are scientists, surgeons, photographers, writers, teachers, programmers, and a host of other gifts out there that we as a society need. I personally believe this is true of all ages, not just the youth of the world.

When God created the world, He said afterwards, “It is good.” In fact, He said this after each thing He created. I believe this was that feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from a job well done. We are created in His image and we too, will have those feelings when we accomplish something.

Sometimes we think true happiness will come when we don’t have to do anything, when we can sit around all day and let our butlers, drivers, cooks, gardeners, and other workers do things for us. But unless we are accomplishing something ourselves, the happiness is empty. It’s okay to have all those servers as long as you’re working on something too. Only true happiness comes when we are fulfilled.

So whether it’s going to college, building a birdhouse, learning a language, painting a picture, or mowing the yard, accomplish something. Let that sense of fulfillment bring satisfaction and happiness into your life where you can stand back, look at it and say, “It is good.” I’m sure that’s how my niece feels right about now.