Fulfillment

The word “Fulfillment” could mean different things to different people, but a definition that could be generally acceptable is “a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved one’s desires”. Meaning that for one to say he/she is fulfilled, the person had desires or expectations that have been met. I would think that the timing of such factors or occurrences that met such desires or expectations will be of essence.

Some circumstances around me in recent times have made me to start thinking seriously about these words: desire, satisfaction and fulfillment. A lot of questions have arisen in my mind and I have finally come to a conclusion. I trust God that you would be blessed as you read along.

When I was to settle for a job, a lot of questions came to my mind as to what kind of job I would like to settle for, the location, career path and so on. Now for me I had an early start and by His grace I had options, I could choose between job opportunities. I considered banking but I said “no way”. Lecturing, I said “maybe later, let me get practice experience first”. Consulting, I said “that’s it” and here I am as a Financial Adviser.

Now you would think, so she’s satisfied or fulfilled – she got what she wanted. But before you come to that conclusion, let’s look at it a little bit more closely. I work with one of the “big four” accounting and professional services firms and you would think that’s one of the best things that can happen to one career-wise. The thing is, people will tell you it’s good for the experience you’ll get on-the-job, you’ll learn a lot of things, build a solid network (from working with different clients) etc. The question is “at what cost?” I’ve been on a job for some time that took all my optimal hours away, all my Saturdays and one of my Sundays!

If you are a banker, people say the pay is good but we all know about the not-too-good things about that industry. If you are in Oil and Gas industry, the pay is the bomb, you probably have a lot of time on your hands but I am sure there is one thing or the other about it that’s not “too cool.” You probably have your own business but I know sometimes you wish you had a job where you have a steady source of income and can expect to be paid salary at the end of the month.

The point I’m trying to make is, in life, fulfillment is only found in God. Those things that we hope and long for will come and we will hope and long for more. There is hardly anything in life that brings total satisfaction; it’s only those that have learnt contentment at the feet of the Master that can have that peace and fulfillment we long for.

Job 36:11 says “If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”

Shalom!