“He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied…” Isaiah 53:11

Soul Satisfaction

I had several family members to my home for Thanksgiving dinner last year. The preparation was a lot of work. I moved plants, chairs, and tables around to make room for people to sit and chat and have our special meal together. Rooms were dusted and vacuumed, bathrooms scrubbed, candles lit. I spent far more time in the kitchen than I ever do on a normal day. I prepared and basted, chopped and peeled and seasoned, stirred and mashed. At the table, holding hands, we gave thanks for the food, for God’s love, for one another, for the freedom to join in one place.

After the meal, although no one was hungry, we finished the tradition by eating pie. Nothing was omitted from the day. From beginning to end, it was both a labor of love and a whispered prayer for continued happy memories of holidays in our home. It was a glorious celebration of the relationships God had ordained and orchestrated for us.

Sitting in an easy chair after everyone said goodbye, I reflected on the day with satisfaction. I thanked God for the energy and health to do this again, knowing that someone of my age may not have many more of these special days left to me. I am ready and willing to hand off the celebration duties to a younger person in the family, but I am happy the tradition means something to them.

Perhaps this was the tiniest taste of what Jesus felt upon His death. He knew His work was finished. He had labored hard and done the will of God, and now He would watch for the harvest. He would watch the souls come to His Father. He would see His Father glorified, and He would see His own self be glorified also.

Jesus had no regrets about how He lived His life. No regrets about the labor involved. No regrets about anything He’d said or done, nor how He’d spent His time, nor whom He had chosen for His friends. He never “sowed to the wind,” nor considered anything He’d done as “vanity” or “useless.” He knew His work had eternal purpose. He knew it would result in good.

He gave it all, held nothing back, poured out His soul—and was satisfied.

Lord, may we live lives of eternal purpose. Help us to give all of what You have given us, holding back nothing for ourselves. Teach us to pour out our souls for the sake of others, that when our days are finished, we may be satisfied without regret. In Jesus’ name, Amen.