Satis House

One of the key buildings of the Charles Dickens novel "Great Expectations" is Miss Havisham's home "Satis House". Any Latin scholars amongst you will realise the name of this building is immensely ironic as "Satis" is Latin for "enough" yet throughout this book "Enough House" does not prove enough or satisfactory for any of the characters. We may scoff at the idea of a building being enough to satisfy us but is this not what modern materialistic culture teaches? Is that not what bombards us from our tv screens? "You'll be happy, successful and good looking if you use this product, drive this car or go to this destination on holidays" is the picture presented by the adverts. Our society is searching for happiness in the wrong place. True satisfaction will only be found in Christ "who brings good news of happiness" (Isaiah 52:7).

Satis House

Yet even Christians can feel unsatisfied. Why is this so? Because even as Christians we can search for happiness in the wrong places. We can begin to think that contentment will be found in wealth, ability or relationships. These things may bring happiness for a time but if this is what you are finding happiness in your peace will not last. Paul writes in Philippians "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content"(Phil 4:11). This kind of satisfaction will only be found in Christ, the satisfaction which remains even when our plans fall to pieces and we face disappointments, which can only be obtained through the humilty to place ourselves fully in Christ's pierced hands not chasing our Satis House.

A copy less dog-eared than my own!