Seeking Validation

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. – Philippians 4:11-12 
 
Oftentimes, we stay on the treadmill of life, never relaxing, never releasing, and never being comfortable because we are always trying to obtain more. At the end of 1 Chronicles, David is approaching the twilight of life; a season in life when he needed to be relaxing and reflecting, not building temples and dealing with the stresses that comes with it. Therefore, God says “no” to David so that rather than working on a temple, he could spend his time worshipping.  
 
Think about this. Some of the greatest psalms David wrote were written during this life season, and they may have never been written if David was busy working on architectural plans and paying contractors. God says “no” to David because David was right where God wanted him to be: the chief warrior, king, and worshipper of Israel. David defeated the lion, the bear, and the giant Goliath, and that was enough. David was king of Israel, and God wanted David to be content and satisfied with that.  
 
Oftentimes, many of us can never appreciate what God has done in our lives because we have become addicted to chasing more stuff, more opportunities and accolades, more connections, and more friends. God never intended for us to spend our lives always chasing external validation, thinking these things would bring us wholeness and happiness. If we do believe that lie, we come to a point where we fail to appreciate and thank Him for what He has already done.  
 
Could it be that God didn’t want David to be like Saul? When they came looking for Saul, the Bible says he was hiding among the stuff. Sometimes the things we pursue are distractions from the will of God. Sometimes God says “no” to the car, to the house, to the promotion, to the relationship, and to the opportunity because He wants us to know that we don’t need those things for further validation.  
 
Just because David did not build the temple doesn’t make him any less valuable in biblical history. Perhaps David wanted to build the temple because he didn’t feel as if he was enough. Maybe you feel the same way and you’ve developed an attachment to some goal, or some desire, and it is rooted in a belief or in a feeling that you are not enough. But let me remind you that you are complete in Christ alone. Only in Him can you find true contentment, value, and worth, and nothing outside of Him will ever validate you the way He can.