Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? Would you like to find the key to fulfillment?
On the surface, my life appeared fine. I had a good work-life balance, and my family was thriving and healthy. Yet, I felt something was missing.
One Sunday afternoon, my husband said, “We’re taking a day trip.” When I asked where we were going, he just smiled. I grabbed a jacket and got in the car. About an hour later, we arrived at a nearby lake. My husband whipped out a blanket and a cooler. As we picnicked, talked, and relaxed, I realized what I’d been missing: connection and “being present” in our relationship. It took stepping out of my routine to see how my soul longed to listen, laugh, and love.
Our souls crave connection in relationships because God created us in His image. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27, NIV).
Created for Relationship
When God created the world, He said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26, NIV). “Our image” refers to God as the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons who exist in relationship with one another. Therefore, since God created us in His image, He made us to need and desire relationships.
God created us to live in an eternal relationship with Himself. However, Adam and Eve’s first sin brought mankind death and separation from God. So God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin and restore our right relationship (Romans 5:18). Jesus’ sacrifice also made us part of God’s family as children and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17).
Additionally, Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). The word “abundant” means rich, satisfying, full, or complete. Jesus’ two greatest commandments, to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:36-40), teach us that the key to an abundant life and fulfillment lies in relationships.
The Key to Fulfillment Is Relationships
I have always strived to prioritize my time in this order: God, family, then service. But my husband’s picnic day helped me realize that while doing this, I was not being genuinely present in my relationships. I needed “less doing” and more “being.”
God
Our first and most important relationship is our relationship with the Lord. Somehow, I had turned my time with God into more of a checklist of good behaviors, like praying and reading the Bible. These are worthy activities, but God wants us to have a heart to know Him (Jeremiah 24:7).
The foundation of any relationship is closeness, communication, and connection. So, friend, rather than checking things off a “to-do” list, we can strive to spend time simply being with God, silently basking in His presence, or worshipping Him. We can listen for His voice when we pray and read the Bible. We can give God our whole heart, pouring out our feelings, frustrations, and fears. By doing so, we get to know one another intimately.
In the process, we will find more peace and joy and learn God’s will and ways. God will direct our steps so that our vision for the future is more aligned. And when we follow His direction and plan for our life, we will find fulfillment.
Family
God loves us with patient, kind, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). We can emulate God’s love in our relationships with our spouse and family.
Of course, we will make mistakes. But time spent together over busyness is a great way to start. We can prioritize family dinners and game nights over extracurricular activities or birthday gatherings over presents. We can plan date nights with our spouse or even an occasional dinner alone after the kids are in bed.
The result will be more love, laughter, and fulfillment in our lives.
Service
Sometimes we feel it’s our duty as good Christians to perform acts of service. There is nothing wrong with service. However, we can do fewer activities and focus more on personal connections when we serve.
Whether introverts or extroverts, we each have a unique story of how God’s love changed our lives. When we take the time to get to know people personally and share our hearts and stories, we can draw others to Christ and help grow God’s kingdom.
Over time, strong friendships will form. We will be able to encourage and support one another in Christ. Again, this will result in greater fulfillment.
The Key to Fulfillment
In summary, the key to fulfillment can be found in our relationships. When we open our hearts and are fully present in our relationships, we will find more love, joy, peace, and fulfillment.
In His Word
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4, NIV). Meditate on how you can “delight” in God today.
In Your Life
List ways you can connect on a heart level through your relationships with God, your family, and others.
Further Reading on Fulfillment and Life
How to Keep It Simple When Life Is Complicated
