John 4:31-42

There are always so many things you can focus on in any passage. What hits me in this one is what is it that keeps Jesus going? In verses 34-35 of this passage Jesus says:

34-35Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn't you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It's harvest time!

I see this same theme in 1 John 2:16-17

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

Jesus drew His energy and zest for life from doing the will of God. As Christians we are to do the same thing. When I first read this passage in 1 John I think, oh this isn't a problem for me I'm not materialistic, but then I read on to the definition of everything that goes on in the world:
wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important and I see myself. Yep, not a day passes that I don't want things my own way. In some way or another every week I hear my thoughts going to wanting to appear important. 1 John tells me that this isolates me from God - interesting that I struggle so frequently with feeling alone and disconnected with God. But 1 John goes on to say that: whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

How do I know the will of God? Well He's given me His written word and that makes things rather clear. He also has written His laws on my conscience and given me the Holy Spirit to convict me. Frequently, when I foray into selfishness, there is a thought at the back of my mind of another way. Just too often I don't pursue that thought.

Oh Father, have mercy on me. I spend so much time pursing this world and I do, just like your word says here, want, want, want. Help me to drink of You and be satisfied. Help me today to be about doing Your will.