I Want More

It's hard for me to settle for eating one girl scout cookie. I think this is why it is good that they are priced at $4 a box. So many of us can go through an entire sleeve or box with a glass of cold milk nearby. We put on a movie or a tv series and just go to town. The crazy part is we rationalize it. 

- They are seasonal.
- The money is going to a good cause.
- I just want to reward myself for eating right.
- I swear I can stop at any time.
My wish sometimes is to be able to eat those delicious cookies and have them turn into carrots when they are consumed. I think this wish stems out of my laziness to work out and lacking motivation to live healthy. Lately, I've been trying to do these things more often and it has been going over well. There are times in which it is hard to get up and drive to the gym because there is no one to go with me. If I can be completely honest, I really want to look a certain way and eat healthier but I don't want it bad enough to change certain things. As much as I want six pack abs and a great physique, the desire is not strong enough to do away with my laziness. I am selfish. Even my goal to work out stems of my selfishness to make other people look at me in awe and jealousy. I want more attention. I want more eyes on me. I want more glory and praise for me and my body. So often, we as Christians would say that we want one thing when are hearts are truly geared toward ourselves. We don't want more of God. We want more things. We want God to give us what we want and more of it. We wouldn't say that we are selfish people out loud but we're hiding the truth. 

Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What do you really want? 

What is it that you're chasing after with such focus and relentless energy?

Some of us would want God only until a certain point.

We want God...unless He starts asking me to do something hard.

We want God...until He starts taking away certain things or people from my life.

We want God...but if makes me look like one of those religious nuts, then I'm done.

We go to church Sunday after Sunday and treat the experience as if we're sampling for food at a store.

It's free and enough to make us want more. Yet, as soon as it costs us something, we don't want it anymore. As soon as God starts tugging us for more than we are already giving, we want to move on to a different product. I want more of God so long as it does not cost me anything. Shouldn't this make us sincerely concerned with our reason for following God?! As soon as the gospel no longer feels warm and fuzzy or start making outrageous/uncomfortable claims, we head in the other direction.

Let me tell you something church people.

YOU ARE NOT ALADDIN! GOD IS NOT YOUR GENIE! 

We have severely downplayed our view of God to that of a myth or legend. We are distorted into believing that God caters to our every whim. 

- God I want you to be this...

- God I want you to be that...

- God I want you to do this right now...

Whatever happened to respecting and honoring the distinctive line between Creator and creature?

We want the loving part of God but shun the God who is sovereign, almighty, all-powerful, fierce and jealous.

We want to able to follow God but not be required in making any real and substantial changes to our actions and thought life.

We want to walk on water but are not willing to get out of the boat.

We want to be free but are not willing to relinquish control.

We want God's forgiveness but reject the idea of repentance.

I encourage each and every one of us to re-evaluate how much we actually desire God.

Do we really want more of God or do we simply want more stuff?

Are we willing to look foolish for the sake of the gospel?

Are we willing to lose everything in order to gain an even greater reward?

Are we ok with the notion that in wanting God more will mean giving up control?

I pray that we, as believers, will elevate our pursuit of seeing, experiencing and glorifying God above all else.