Do you want to live at your full potential? Do you want to live with complete joy and experience fulfillment in your life? Then, this post is for you!

But, be careful that you don’t seek stuff instead of seeking God first (Matthew 6:33). 

1. I need God in order to be on the path of life

The first reason I need God is to be on the path of life.

According to Scripture, it is God’s intention for us to live, and live abundantly. In fact, Jesus came to do just that, to give us abundant life (John 10:10). 

But, this life is a choice you and I have to make on a daily basis (Deuteronomy 30: 15). When we choose good, we will be able to live.  

Choosing good in order to live is a path on which God would like us to be. Also, keep in mind that this path isn’t people’s creation. Just as God created humans, He also created the path that leads to abundant life.

Sin, from the very beginning, has been what takes us away from this path of life.

In the beginnings, when Adam and Eve sinned against God, two things happened. 1) They were kicked out of the garden (the best place in life); and 2) they could no longer have access to the tree of life (Genesis 3: 22-24). 

The tree of life was at the core of the garden, according to Genesis. But, where Adam and Eve would be next, after disobeying God, the tree of life no longer existed in their new world.

Guess what?

Jesus came to help us get the life, God intended us to have, back . He came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). 

This life isn’t just about currently being alive on earth. It takes us beyond and leads us into eternal life with God, our Father. 

2. I need God in order to find fullness of joy

The second reason why I need God is to find fullness of joy.

Notice that when you read Genesis 3, Adam and Eve, after disobeying God, would experience a life that is completely deprived of joy and happiness.

They are no longer in the garden where there was no stress or anything to harm them. But, in the garden, they had everything at their disposal. They also had the ability to say no to the devil’s words (temptations). They had the power to remain on the path of abundant life (garden of Eden) where God had placed them. 

Choosing a different path than what God has assigned for us deprives us from the joy we can only experience through God. 

The fulness of joy isn’t something we can fake or create. The joy we make for ourselves does not really last. It comes and goes away. Look at your life. You may have fun and seem happy. But, that joy and happiness will fade away once something else pops up. Anything can kill it. 

The joy that we experience through faith in God cannot be killed. Because it results from a personal relationship with God, it lasts forever. It comes from a source of living water that quenches any thirst (John 4:13-14).

This source of joy does not run out because it is God, Himself. And God lives forever. 

3. I need God in order to experience long-lasting satisfaction and fulfillment

The final reason why I need God is to experience long-lasting satisfaction and fulfillment.

We look at satisfaction as something that derives from achievement. We feel fulfilled because of what we’ve done. Don’t we?

A fulfilled life is the one that can be described as God’s work! Let me elaborate on this a little bit more.

Your life truly isn’t yours. It is God’s. God gave it to you for a purpose.

I love what Paul says: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, ESV).

Clearly, true satisfaction begins by realizing that we don’t belong to ourselves, but to God. With that in mind, I personally practice three things to help me experience fulfillment and satisfaction.

• I pray daily. I ask for strength, direction and more love for God’s work, which is expressed through my daily life. 
• I remind myself that my life is God’s work. Because I am God’s work, then I let God be in control. 
• I take risks knowing God will guide my steps.

Here’s a prayer you could use on a daily basis: “God, make known to me the path of life. Help me experience fullness of joy in Your presence. Give me satisfaction in everything I am and everything I do today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.” (Adapted from Psalm 16: 11)