Or Something

Our granddaughter, Joy, is 5 years old. When she was around 2 ½, she was learning new vocabulary words and had learned to imitate those who were around her the most. When children repeat phrases, it’s easy to see how important it is that we watch our language, not just for inappropriate words, but for annoying phrases that we speak out of habit.

She had a slight cold around that same time. Her nose had been dripping all day long. We tried to get to her with a tissue to wipe her nose as needed, but most of the time she beat us to it with the back of her hand. Over and over we’d let her know that she needed to use a tissue. Our words never quite reached her little mind.

Then it happened. We were sitting at the dinner table and she said, “I think I need to blow my nose or something.” Or something? The phrase “or something” added to her statement really was quite comical. We laughed and thought she was very cute and so grown up. We wiped her nose with a tissue.

I can’t imagine how many times she had heard the phrase “or something” before speaking it herself. We then noticed how much that phrase was part of our vocabulary. The first time I was aware that I had said it, I laughed, realizing I had been an influence on her and that she was imitating what she was hearing. After a while, however, I understood that it was annoying. I worked to cut that phrase out of my vocabulary.

Joy knew she needed something. She even knew what “it” was that she needed. She wasn’t sure, however, that she was ready to yield to the one thing that would be best for her.

We are so much like Joy. We know we need something. We even know what that "something” is, but we want to hold out for other options. Perhaps even thinking they are better options. Satan keeps our minds going back to what we once held dear in our old way of thinking and we begin hearing ourselves say, “I think I need to spend some quality time in God’s Word…or something else.” “I think I need to go to church…or something else.” You see it’s very easy for us to justify our actions and thoughts once we allow those “somethings” to creep into our lives.

“Somethings”

God wants more for us, however. He wants us to have what’s best for us. And He has planned something better for us! “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:40 NIV)

This is the final verse of the “faith” chapter in Hebrews. In the verses prior to verse 40, there are listed a group of people who had been faithful to God. “They were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” (v. 39) They weren’t privy to the “something better” God had planned. We, however, have that “something better” available to us. Jesus Christ was and is that plan. And He wants to be all of our “somethings.” We can be made perfect, but only together with Him.

“Satisfy”

When we are looking for that “something,” we are really looking for “something” that will satisfy us. He wants to supply and satisfy every need that drives us. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)

The word satisfy means “to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands; or give full contentment to.” Full contentment. When Isaiah wrote these words, he offered the idea that Jerusalem was like a garden without water. They had turned from their water source and Isaiah lets them know that if they were willing to turn from their former way of life, they would be like a well-watered garden. The “something” that God’s people were looking for was God. The “something” that would satisfy them was God. He was their water source. For us, Jesus offers living water. Living water that revives, refreshes, and satisfies. Living water that “wells up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

We can only have full contentment and satisfaction in Jesus Christ. He will satisfy your needs. He’s just waiting for you to say, “I think I need God to fill me with…something.” He is that “something!”

“Everything”

When we come to the place that Jesus is that “something” in our lives, He then wants to give us “everything” we need. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

God has made available to us all that we need spiritually through our knowledge of him. “Everything” we need for life and godliness. Life that can be lived abundantly through Jesus. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10b NLT) The Amplified version says it this way, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

The next time you hear the phrase, “or something,” you’ll be reminded who your something and everything is. Be reminded that you can have a full, rich life because of Jesus. He is all of that. That is His desire. He wants to be our “somethings” and our “everythings.” You don’t have to wonder if He can be these things for you. You simply need to ask Him to be your “somethings” and “everythings.” Oh, what a satisfying life is available to those who seek Him.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna