On Feeling Fulfilled

So, there's this nagging question I've had circling around the top of my head during this season of life.  Plans have not exactly developed like they were supposed to have over the last couple of years (at least not according to my finite, self-centered perspective).  Surprise, surprise.  

Are we Christians that spoiled?  We're legends in our own minds, and in every Bible story we read, WE are the hero.  We are living out our own story, and everyone and everything around us serves us and our story.

The question is, as a believer in and follower of the Creator of the universe -  both concepts (Creator, universe), that are a strain for me to even imagine, but  are the only ideas that make any sense - am I supposed to feel fulfilled, as though I am carrying out His divine purpose?  Am I supposed to just love what I'm doing 100% of the time?

There are those who say they follow Christ who also hold to the conviction that if there is even 1% of your job that you don't like, then you need to stop doing it and start doing what you enjoy.

Ok, so that's a bit extreme.  That idea is one end of the spectrum.

I suppose the other end of the spectrum might sound something like this:  Following Christ is hard and if you're finding the way easy and enjoyable, if you're not being opposed by the enemy at every step along the way, then you're probably not really following Him, or at least you're not really making any impact for His kingdom.

This is the part where we proof-text and draw our own neat little conclusions that makes us feel better.

Or maybe not.  

The truth about feeling fulfilled is out there, somewhere between the two above-mentioned extremes.  

It's between thinking that all the world revolves around us and our feelings of usefulness or uselessness, and believing that we just don't matter and have nothing to offer the universe in His divine plan.

The truth is in the tension that exists between being owned by our Maker, who can pick us up or put us down as an instrument to be used as He pleases, and being a vital, invaluable member of the Body of Christ, who brings glory to Him through the special gifts He has chosen for us to have and use.

The next time we are not feeling very fulfilled, we would do well to stop and ask our souls some questions that might help us know where these feelings are coming from:

1.  Are we submitting to Him in the closest task at hand,  no matter how mundane and insignificant it may seem to us, or to others?

2.  Do we really trust God, and believe that He is all we need?  Or, are we making an idol out of feeling "useful" or fulfilled?

3.  Is there even an ounce of us that wants self-glory, instead of glory for Him?