Do you ever feel at a complete loss in your life--feeling like no matter what you do it just simply never results in fulfillment? Jesus told us clearly in John 10:10 that he came to give us an abundant life--a fulfilled life. So, what keeps us from it?? Examine your ways anytime you feel unfulfilled. Just as the way of folly in Proverbs 9 is seeking your own way, Jeremiah 17:5-10 spells it out for us. If we trust in man (which would include ourselves) we are cursed. In fact, any time we are trusting in our own strength we are "turn[ed] away from the Lord." Jeremiah 17:5. I don't think we think of it that way, but we should. If we aren't with Him, then we are against Him. Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23. If we are seeking our own interests first, then we are turned away from Him and we are committing idolatry. There is no middle ground. In contrast, if we are trusting in the Lord, we are blessed and will experience the same satisfaction that a tree planted by fresh water does. Jeremiah 17:7-8; see also Psalm 1. We will thrive no matter the circumstances, because we always have that fresh flow of life-giving water, just as Christ promised the woman at the well. John 4. My constant self-seeking is overwhelming. I know I must die daily and follow HIm moment by moment, but I fail at nearly every turn. It is amazing He loves me so much that He sent His son to die for me. And that He keeps showing me grace after grace, tenderly comforting me after my self-inflicted wounds. Praise be to the God of Jonah, of Moses, of David, and of so many others who needed second (and more) chances! I know whom I must serve, because to serve any other yields a life of poverty, slavery, thirst, hunger, and anguish. But, serving and trusting the God who is I AM will result in real life, a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. WOW!!!