The pinnacle of man’s pyramid of needs is called by numerous names. I prefer calling it Personal Fulfillment. This term better represents the genuine need God has given us in contrast to ‘self-fulfillment’. The subject covers a broad scope in humanist teaching seeking to direct man towards self-fulfillment through self-efforts. For the Christian it is simply the need to realize one’s potential and possibilities, to use one’s talents, creativity, and capabilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. Despite the fact that psychology teaches it is the least of man’s needs with some never fulfilling it, God wants believers to find fulfillment because it is a desire He placed within us. For the Christian, this also includes the effective use of the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us; every believer has at least one.
David wrote, For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb (Psalms 139:13). In modern terminology this might read, you put together the DNA that made me who I am. This includes our physical characteristics, our personalities, our talents, and our basic desires. But carefully note we have to maintain vigilant discernment based on God’s word. We still have an old sinful nature that brings fleshly desires, which are against God’s will. However, we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I have known people through the years who believe they cannot do anything they personally want to do. If they are not miserable, they feel they are not pleasing God. The LORD did not create man to endure a miserable unfulfilled existence. He takes pleasure in seeing our needs satisfied. Yes, sin distorted us, but being tempted with sinful desires does not eliminate those God given desires rooted in the formation of our inward parts. Overall, people want to be successful and reach their maximum potential. We all have individual hopes and dreams hidden away in our thoughts. David gave us this promise, Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desire (Psalms 37:4). The key to this verse is taking delight in the LORD.
I could share several desires He formed in me and has fulfilled. One that stands out is the desire I have had since I was a small boy to work with wood. At that time, all I had was a rusty saw and hammer, and a few wood scraps others would throw away. Oh! I can’t forget the used bent nails I would find and straighten. Prior to going to Bible College, I was able to purchase a table saw and a few tools. Then we went to Africa and I had to sell them. About ten years ago, that desire was still there. At the time, I was financially able to purchase some tools. My small woodshop, a small garden shed, with one mini-lathe grew and grew. Last year when we relocated, the most dreaded part of the move was my wood shop. It took several strong men and a couple of days to complete. Now I have a spacious work shop and more tools than I could have imaged as a small boy with my old saw and hammer. I even have boxes of brand new nails. No, I am not bragging, but giving God the praise for fulfilling that desire of my heart as He has also done with other desires.
When I became a Christian, God gave me several gifts of the Spirit. The primary gift was teaching. I certainly was not a good teacher having no natural abilities or knowledge about teaching. I know my home church tolerated and endured during those early years. Yet, when given any opportunity to teach, I took it. I had a passion to reach the maximum potential of my gift. Thankfully, the LORD has helped me become a better teacher. I thrive when I am teaching, because I am fulfilling the gift and desire that God has placed within me. Most important the Holy Spirit helps me.
Several years after God begin leading me to write, I realized that I had been writing stories and poems since I was in the sixth grade. I know what I wrote had to be terrible. The only grammar rule I knew was that ain’t is not a word. I had a sixth-grade reading level when I entered college. Yet, I am beginning to understand that this was a desire the LORD formed within me when He wove me in my mother’s womb. Now He is fulfilling that need and my spiritual gift of teaching, through writing. I have a sense of great personal fulfillment each week when I complete a Sustaining Word.
Christianity is not merely about going to church, singing a hymn, saying a prayer, etc. It is about life as a whole. Man has falsely divided life into ‘the sacred and the secular’. However, God sees every day, 24/7, as sacred. The desires of your heart may be to teach a Bible class or it may be to become a wood crafter, to grow a garden, or to learn to sew. If it is, a desire that God formed within you, He wants that desire fulfilled. The key is to take delight in the LORD and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. He will supply all your needs including personal fulfillment.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
He’s got you covered for your physiological needs, your safety security needs, your need for love, and even your need for personal fulfillment. You find fulfillment by surrendering to God and taking delight in Him.