What Do You Want From Me?Shembull

Why Do I Always Want More Than What I Have?

1) I Focus On The Journeys Of Others

Peter was distracted by curiosity about what God had planned for John. Jesus responded by telling Peter that God’s plan for John is between Him and John. Instead, Peter should focus on his own relationship with Jesus. Similarly, we will be tempted to focus on the ways God is working in the lives of others. It’s important for us to celebrate God in others, but we must not allow it to distract us from the plan He has designed especially for us!

2) I Forget What God Has Given Me

Even after receiving Jesus’ love and forgiveness, Peter still found himself distracted by God’s plans for John. One of the most powerful antidotes for discontentment is to intentionally reflect on all that Jesus has already given us!

3) I Forsake Purpose For Comfort

If purpose is our focus, then we are all standing on equal ground. Every Christian is equally deserving of death, and we have all received forgiveness through the same sacrifice. As long as sharing this message with others remains the focus of our lives, contentment will endure. However, if we lose sight of Jesus and His message, we will strive to find comfort and wholeness through sources that have no hope of providing it!

Big Idea

Focusing on the journeys of others, forgetting what God has given us, and forsaking purpose for comfort will prevent us from honoring God through contentment.

Let's Think About This

Question #1: What is one thing that “jumped out” to you while reading John 21:20-25?

Question #2: Which of the three sources of discontentment (focusing on the journeys of others, forgetting what God has given you, and forsaking purpose for comfort) resonates the most with you?

Question #3: What is something God has given you that you are grateful for? What are some practical things we can do to practice gratitude regularly?