John Piper sent out a series of twitter tweets over the past few days...and they were profound. Here are all of them.
Why #1: Why does God tell us that his love in adopting us is "for the praise of the glory of his grace"? (Ephesians 1:5-6)
Why #2: Why does God tell us that his love in creating us is "for his glory"? (Isaiah 43:7)
Why #3: Why does God tell us his incarnation love was "so that the gentiles would glorify God for his mercy"? (Rom. 15:8-9)
Why #4: Why does God tell us that Christ's love in dying for our sake is so that we might live for his sake? (2 Cor. 5:15)
Why #5: Why does God tell us that the aim of his love for us in spreading the gospel is for the sake of his name"? (Rom. 1:5)
Why #6: Why does God tell us that his love in sanctifying us is "to the glory and praise of God"? (Philippians 1:11)
Why #7: Why does God tell us that the aim of Christ's love in the 2nd coming is “to be glorified in his saints"? (2 Thess. 1:10)
Why #8: Why is the apex of Jesus' love, in his prayer for us, the request that we would "see his glory”? (John 17:24)
Answer: Because you are precious to God, and he adds this gift: He will not let that preciousness become your God. Only Him.
For more of John Piper on this, check out: http://ow.ly/1enZe
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
On Learning the Heart of God
Yes…I have felt the sting of life lately…a lot.
Yes...I have felt the urge to shake my fists at the Heavens.
Here’s what I’m learning…
The LORD said, “The more they were called,
the more they went away…
My people are bent on turning away from me…
How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?”
-Hosea 11:2,7,8.
“I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
to a nation that was not called by my name.
I SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL THE DAY
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices…”
-Isaiah 65:1,2
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God! For I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.”
-Psalm 42:5
God help us.
Yes...I have felt the urge to shake my fists at the Heavens.
Here’s what I’m learning…
The LORD said, “The more they were called,
the more they went away…
My people are bent on turning away from me…
How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?”
-Hosea 11:2,7,8.
“I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
to a nation that was not called by my name.
I SPREAD OUT MY HANDS ALL THE DAY
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices…”
-Isaiah 65:1,2
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God! For I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.”
-Psalm 42:5
God help us.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My Eloquence and God's Power
The Lord never ceases to remind me through this slow process of sanctification, the futility of my own abilities and control. My passion for Jesus Christ and His glory can turn my labor into a self-determined authority and “Holy Spirit-less” ministry. I find myself thinking that I have to “do good enough,” “be eloquent enough” or “say just the right things” in order for something eternal to happen in the life of another. What a danger for the pastor, the shepherd, the ministry leader…the Christian.
Here’s the temptation ultimately…to dethrone the Holy Spirit.
I love Paul’s proclamation of this truth in his first letter to the Corinthians:
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
*1 Cor. 2:1-5.
God continually humbles me in these things, as my passion for evangelism and discipleship can turn into “Alex’s white-knuckled manipulation to get someone from point A to point B.” I find myself seeing (or actually more of reading) “the plan, the goal, the mission” and then running my hardest toward these things and wanting to labor for the Lord…all the while I have wandered from sitting under the power of God and being His vessel rather than my own idol.
I’m amazed at how much I try to do apart from the Holy Spirit! I wonder if this is why Paul confronts this human tendency when he speaks so boldly and continually of “walking in the Spirit,” “being led by the Spirit,” “living by the Spirit,” “being filled with the Spirit,” in Galatians 5:16-26.
I know that I sit under the waterfall of grace and patience from the Lord. God promises that His grace is sufficient in my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9), but in walking with Him, my idolatrous heart in evangelism and discipleship must go at the feet of Christ!
May this encourage you to abide in Him and diligently plead with the Spirit to lead and infect the times and conversations you have with people. For what is not of God will perish.
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
Here’s the temptation ultimately…to dethrone the Holy Spirit.
I love Paul’s proclamation of this truth in his first letter to the Corinthians:
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
*1 Cor. 2:1-5.
God continually humbles me in these things, as my passion for evangelism and discipleship can turn into “Alex’s white-knuckled manipulation to get someone from point A to point B.” I find myself seeing (or actually more of reading) “the plan, the goal, the mission” and then running my hardest toward these things and wanting to labor for the Lord…all the while I have wandered from sitting under the power of God and being His vessel rather than my own idol.
I’m amazed at how much I try to do apart from the Holy Spirit! I wonder if this is why Paul confronts this human tendency when he speaks so boldly and continually of “walking in the Spirit,” “being led by the Spirit,” “living by the Spirit,” “being filled with the Spirit,” in Galatians 5:16-26.
I know that I sit under the waterfall of grace and patience from the Lord. God promises that His grace is sufficient in my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9), but in walking with Him, my idolatrous heart in evangelism and discipleship must go at the feet of Christ!
May this encourage you to abide in Him and diligently plead with the Spirit to lead and infect the times and conversations you have with people. For what is not of God will perish.
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thou Art My Great Reward
I have been wrestling with a Biblical Truth recently that has profoundly impacted the way I view the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been a Truth that has been foundational to following and loving Jesus, and being loved by Him! This Truth is no stranger to history or reality. It is at the very essence in purpose and eternal meaning.
Seeing my life, and more importantly, the Gospel of God, in light of this Truth has changed everything!
As I reflect on the last few weeks of my life, I have seen the Lord bring this Truth to the light in my life.
It can be summarized in the words of Dr. John Piper, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him!” Or as Dr. Piper states in the preface of his book, The Pleasures of God, “I ask people wherever I go: Do you feel loved by God because you believe he makes much of you, or because you believe he frees you and empowers you to enjoy making much of him?” (11).
…as I sift the scriptures, I see the writers of the Bible enthralled by the glory and supremacy of God, and seek utmost delight and satisfaction IN Him.
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians chapter one, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and BE WITH CHRIST, for that is very much better…”
God, being the greatest and most supreme Source of joy and delight, is utmost in His own affections (this is discussed at length in Piper’s book, The Pleasures of God).
The Apostle Paul yearns to be in the presence of Jesus, and to drink from His divine fountain of delight. So my happiness and God’s glory are no longer at odds or competing with one another, but rather in their consummation, God is glorified and we enjoy Him in His glory – FOREVER.
This magnifies God’s love in sending Christ, His death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection. It is a display of God’s infinite glory and beauty in orchestrating the redemption of His people. It is an immense display of His love for people, by calling them unto Himself, calling them to come and drink from this infinite joy.
“Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23).
“If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37).
I must be careful not make the end of the gospel myself. It is not ULTIMATELY about MY salvation or MY relationship with God. Rather the gospel is a magnificent display of the glory of God and Him magnifying that glory through the redemption of His people by the cross of Christ and the victorious resurrection. So Jesus is our great reward!
I pray I remember this often, for I am far too often guilty of idolatry, in that I make the gospel about me. It is not… yet how gracious is our Father in heaven to allow us to enter into His joy, His delight, His excellencies…FOR ETERNITY!?!
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
Seeing my life, and more importantly, the Gospel of God, in light of this Truth has changed everything!
As I reflect on the last few weeks of my life, I have seen the Lord bring this Truth to the light in my life.
It can be summarized in the words of Dr. John Piper, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him!” Or as Dr. Piper states in the preface of his book, The Pleasures of God, “I ask people wherever I go: Do you feel loved by God because you believe he makes much of you, or because you believe he frees you and empowers you to enjoy making much of him?” (11).
…as I sift the scriptures, I see the writers of the Bible enthralled by the glory and supremacy of God, and seek utmost delight and satisfaction IN Him.
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians chapter one, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and BE WITH CHRIST, for that is very much better…”
God, being the greatest and most supreme Source of joy and delight, is utmost in His own affections (this is discussed at length in Piper’s book, The Pleasures of God).
The Apostle Paul yearns to be in the presence of Jesus, and to drink from His divine fountain of delight. So my happiness and God’s glory are no longer at odds or competing with one another, but rather in their consummation, God is glorified and we enjoy Him in His glory – FOREVER.
This magnifies God’s love in sending Christ, His death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection. It is a display of God’s infinite glory and beauty in orchestrating the redemption of His people. It is an immense display of His love for people, by calling them unto Himself, calling them to come and drink from this infinite joy.
“Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23).
“If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37).
I must be careful not make the end of the gospel myself. It is not ULTIMATELY about MY salvation or MY relationship with God. Rather the gospel is a magnificent display of the glory of God and Him magnifying that glory through the redemption of His people by the cross of Christ and the victorious resurrection. So Jesus is our great reward!
I pray I remember this often, for I am far too often guilty of idolatry, in that I make the gospel about me. It is not… yet how gracious is our Father in heaven to allow us to enter into His joy, His delight, His excellencies…FOR ETERNITY!?!
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Discipline of God
“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor be weary when reproved by him.
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
*Hebrews 12:5-11.
This year of college (being my sophomore year) has had its share of trials, sorrow, dark nights and hard days. I have seen the Lord press into my life and absolutely destroy me of myself and restore me again and again unto HIM. This kind of refining in my soul has been difficult but not absent from experiencing the love of God.
I heard said once, that “…if you think this whole walking with Jesus thing was going to be easy then you are completely wrong…” – I’ve bought into that lie far too many times, which allows me to fall into traps of accusation of, disappointment in and indifference toward the Almighty God. Yes, I am guilty of blasphemy in all of this and if it were not for the eternal grace of Jesus, I would be owned by my shame in it all.
But I know that I love and serve a God that is “…greater than our hearts…” (1 John 3:20). This gives me great confidence in the work of Christ, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit and the DISCIPLINE OF THE FATHER! I hope in the joy of God.
I have come to see that the refining of our hearts is not an iron-fisted, angry and frustrated response of God toward our human condition, but rather a great and deep expression of God’s love for His children and His invitation into great joy and delight!
I’ll admit it, I don’t like it. God’s breaking us of ourselves hurts…a lot! But if I proceed to be son that does not receive discipline from my Father, than I am an illegitimate child.
I’ve come to understand this in the context of relationships that I have with others, and have gratitude for my parent’s love expressed in their discipline. If your child is running in the streets, is it not a great love that compels you to rebuke and discipline them. We know that discipline of God trains us in godliness and is even more a great expression of the Father’s love and care His children.
So please God, discipline me…for I am futile in my own ways.
Friends, do not take lightly the discipline of our Father. I would be lying if I said that it did not hurt, but God intends it to lead us into joy – into His presence.
“…if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” – Jesus (John 7:37b)
May those who read this see the eternal and unsurpassable love our God and in His disciplining of those that belong to Him. He is leading us into joy, leading us to delighting in Him. This is the appointed end of those in Christ, to find infinite joy and complete satisfaction in God.
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
*Hebrews 12:5-11.
This year of college (being my sophomore year) has had its share of trials, sorrow, dark nights and hard days. I have seen the Lord press into my life and absolutely destroy me of myself and restore me again and again unto HIM. This kind of refining in my soul has been difficult but not absent from experiencing the love of God.
I heard said once, that “…if you think this whole walking with Jesus thing was going to be easy then you are completely wrong…” – I’ve bought into that lie far too many times, which allows me to fall into traps of accusation of, disappointment in and indifference toward the Almighty God. Yes, I am guilty of blasphemy in all of this and if it were not for the eternal grace of Jesus, I would be owned by my shame in it all.
But I know that I love and serve a God that is “…greater than our hearts…” (1 John 3:20). This gives me great confidence in the work of Christ, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit and the DISCIPLINE OF THE FATHER! I hope in the joy of God.
I have come to see that the refining of our hearts is not an iron-fisted, angry and frustrated response of God toward our human condition, but rather a great and deep expression of God’s love for His children and His invitation into great joy and delight!
I’ll admit it, I don’t like it. God’s breaking us of ourselves hurts…a lot! But if I proceed to be son that does not receive discipline from my Father, than I am an illegitimate child.
I’ve come to understand this in the context of relationships that I have with others, and have gratitude for my parent’s love expressed in their discipline. If your child is running in the streets, is it not a great love that compels you to rebuke and discipline them. We know that discipline of God trains us in godliness and is even more a great expression of the Father’s love and care His children.
So please God, discipline me…for I am futile in my own ways.
Friends, do not take lightly the discipline of our Father. I would be lying if I said that it did not hurt, but God intends it to lead us into joy – into His presence.
“…if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” – Jesus (John 7:37b)
May those who read this see the eternal and unsurpassable love our God and in His disciplining of those that belong to Him. He is leading us into joy, leading us to delighting in Him. This is the appointed end of those in Christ, to find infinite joy and complete satisfaction in God.
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Pursuing Affection for God
I was listening to a sermon the other day by Matt Chandler (Lead/Teaching Pastor at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas), in which he briefly discussed the things in life that stir his affections for God. This immediately caught my attention. The reason for this was because this ideology, being our affections for God, pierces through the superficiality that plagues our culture.
Knowing God brings such a depth to life and reality that I cannot help but to pursue the things that emulate that depth and allow me to taste all the more this massive, universe-creating, all-loving, and yet mysterious God.
As I pondered this idea and sought to examine my own life, Psalm 119 came to mind. Having read this very long Psalm (the longest in the Bible actually) not long ago, I remembered the heart of the Psalmist. He got this! He experienced so purely his affections being stirred for the Lord. And he wrote:
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes…” *vv. 15-16a. (ESV)
“Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” *v. 24.
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways.” *v. 37.
“…for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.” *vv. 47-48.
“The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” *v. 72.
“My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in Your word.” *v. 81.
“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” *v. 111.
“My eyes long for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise.” *v. 123.
“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for Your commandments.” *v. 131.
“Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words. I rejoice at Your word like one who finds great spoil.” *vv. 161-162.
“My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” *v. 167.
The psalmist continually is diving into, meditating on and delighting in the good things of God. They are the things that lead the poet into communion with the Lord. They are things that point to God! These things reach down into the innermost parts of ourselves and by the power of the Holy Spirit draw us into the presence of God.
The things of God that are good and beautiful and right and stir our affections for Him are not meant to be in themselves our delight and satisfaction, but rather a catalyst to launch our souls into deep communion with and delight in our Lord. It is God displaying His glory in such a way that captivates us, His children, and draws us to Himself. This is key - not that we find joy in the comfort of things (or as Romans 1:23 & 25 puts it: “images” & “created things”), rather they are a means by which we experience the glory and joy of Jesus Christ.
I think this was one of the purposes in God’s creation and displayed His glory in the created - that the created things might be screaming billboard signs saying, “LOOK AT JESUS! Look how GLORIOUS and MAJESTIC and WORTHY He is!” (Psalm 19). They are things God has given us to invite us into the deeper treasure that it is knowing God. (Matt. 13:44). There is something about sitting outside in the crisp autumn air, drinking hot apple cider and seeing the leaves and the brilliant colors they display that reaches deep into my soul and pulls me into something more. I think I desire more than anything to commune with Jesus…to be in my Maker’s presence and taste His goodness.
However, there is a line here. There’s a line that invites me to cross into idolatry - to pursue things other than Jesus Christ, and to make them “ultimate.” To make them the end rather than the glory of God. The reason this gets messy and sinful is because most often times these things (whatever stirs our affections for the Lord) are GOOD THINGS! They are things that God created and said that “it is good.” (Gen. 1).
So as I have pondered these thoughts the last few days, some things have come to mind that stir my affections for Jesus. But I know the nature of myself as well. I know my bent towards wanting to take these good things, and make them god things. So I search my own heart in this as well. I search my motives and my desires and look to see what is holding my joy. And as I walk toward the glorious pictures of God’s goodness and glory, I feel close to my Creator.
So what are some of these things for me? What are the things that I have now come to pursue in hope that I would find Jesus at the end of them all? Here’s some that come to mind:
Taking the time to experience nature. Breathing in the autumn aroma as the presence of God draws me to gratitude, awe, wonder, and to worship.
Sitting outside during a beautiful sunset or a starry sky while puffing on a vintage tobacco pipe sends me into deep meditations of the bigness of God and what He’s like. The stillness, that can so haunt the postmodern, technological being, I find to be unbelievably rich and valuable.
Spending hours over coffee (or hot tea) with a friend talking about the grace and love of Jesus Christ and His healing and redeeming work on the cross!
Opening up the scriptures and soaking in the gift God wants us to live off of (Matt. 4:4).
Meditating on the truth that I am the Bride of Christ!!! Pure, holy, blameless and righteous I stand before the throne of my King Jesus Christ.
Being able to Shepherd and care for young believers, and walk with them, love them, struggle with them and point them to Jesus (though this is extremely hard, and one learns very quickly that these youngsters are Lord’s FIRST, His children, and that God will entrust us with them, and just as quickly take them from our grip.)
Lastly, the creation of music plunges my soul into some of the deepest places of personally knowing God and what He’s like. To come confidently before the throne of Grace (Heb. 4:16), and worship the living God who loves me and gave Himself for me. I don’t even have to sing…sometimes I just play my guitar, sometimes I just listen, sometimes I just meditate, but there is depth here for me. My affections are stirred for God by His creation of music. Praise God for Anberlin :)
Not everyone’s affections will be stirred for God by these specific things, but for us to ignore the goodness in the things God has given us leaves us missing out on creation…missing out on knowing God more fully. I must be mindful and cautious of our culture’s deceit in the pursuit of these good things. If they become my God, if they hold my joy, if my affections start to seek those things as ultimate then I am guilty of sin - and as the book of Hosea would say, that I have whored myself out to other gods, other idols and left my bridegroom, Jesus Christ. We should fill our lives with the things that stir our affections for Jesus, and run as fast as we can away from the things that rob us of affections for Jesus! But Jesus must remain the prize. He must remain the precious pearl and the treasure in the field. O God help us.
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
Knowing God brings such a depth to life and reality that I cannot help but to pursue the things that emulate that depth and allow me to taste all the more this massive, universe-creating, all-loving, and yet mysterious God.
As I pondered this idea and sought to examine my own life, Psalm 119 came to mind. Having read this very long Psalm (the longest in the Bible actually) not long ago, I remembered the heart of the Psalmist. He got this! He experienced so purely his affections being stirred for the Lord. And he wrote:
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes…” *vv. 15-16a. (ESV)
“Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” *v. 24.
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways.” *v. 37.
“…for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.” *vv. 47-48.
“The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” *v. 72.
“My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in Your word.” *v. 81.
“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” *v. 111.
“My eyes long for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise.” *v. 123.
“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for Your commandments.” *v. 131.
“Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words. I rejoice at Your word like one who finds great spoil.” *vv. 161-162.
“My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” *v. 167.
The psalmist continually is diving into, meditating on and delighting in the good things of God. They are the things that lead the poet into communion with the Lord. They are things that point to God! These things reach down into the innermost parts of ourselves and by the power of the Holy Spirit draw us into the presence of God.
The things of God that are good and beautiful and right and stir our affections for Him are not meant to be in themselves our delight and satisfaction, but rather a catalyst to launch our souls into deep communion with and delight in our Lord. It is God displaying His glory in such a way that captivates us, His children, and draws us to Himself. This is key - not that we find joy in the comfort of things (or as Romans 1:23 & 25 puts it: “images” & “created things”), rather they are a means by which we experience the glory and joy of Jesus Christ.
I think this was one of the purposes in God’s creation and displayed His glory in the created - that the created things might be screaming billboard signs saying, “LOOK AT JESUS! Look how GLORIOUS and MAJESTIC and WORTHY He is!” (Psalm 19). They are things God has given us to invite us into the deeper treasure that it is knowing God. (Matt. 13:44). There is something about sitting outside in the crisp autumn air, drinking hot apple cider and seeing the leaves and the brilliant colors they display that reaches deep into my soul and pulls me into something more. I think I desire more than anything to commune with Jesus…to be in my Maker’s presence and taste His goodness.
However, there is a line here. There’s a line that invites me to cross into idolatry - to pursue things other than Jesus Christ, and to make them “ultimate.” To make them the end rather than the glory of God. The reason this gets messy and sinful is because most often times these things (whatever stirs our affections for the Lord) are GOOD THINGS! They are things that God created and said that “it is good.” (Gen. 1).
So as I have pondered these thoughts the last few days, some things have come to mind that stir my affections for Jesus. But I know the nature of myself as well. I know my bent towards wanting to take these good things, and make them god things. So I search my own heart in this as well. I search my motives and my desires and look to see what is holding my joy. And as I walk toward the glorious pictures of God’s goodness and glory, I feel close to my Creator.
So what are some of these things for me? What are the things that I have now come to pursue in hope that I would find Jesus at the end of them all? Here’s some that come to mind:
Taking the time to experience nature. Breathing in the autumn aroma as the presence of God draws me to gratitude, awe, wonder, and to worship.
Sitting outside during a beautiful sunset or a starry sky while puffing on a vintage tobacco pipe sends me into deep meditations of the bigness of God and what He’s like. The stillness, that can so haunt the postmodern, technological being, I find to be unbelievably rich and valuable.
Spending hours over coffee (or hot tea) with a friend talking about the grace and love of Jesus Christ and His healing and redeeming work on the cross!
Opening up the scriptures and soaking in the gift God wants us to live off of (Matt. 4:4).
Meditating on the truth that I am the Bride of Christ!!! Pure, holy, blameless and righteous I stand before the throne of my King Jesus Christ.
Being able to Shepherd and care for young believers, and walk with them, love them, struggle with them and point them to Jesus (though this is extremely hard, and one learns very quickly that these youngsters are Lord’s FIRST, His children, and that God will entrust us with them, and just as quickly take them from our grip.)
Lastly, the creation of music plunges my soul into some of the deepest places of personally knowing God and what He’s like. To come confidently before the throne of Grace (Heb. 4:16), and worship the living God who loves me and gave Himself for me. I don’t even have to sing…sometimes I just play my guitar, sometimes I just listen, sometimes I just meditate, but there is depth here for me. My affections are stirred for God by His creation of music. Praise God for Anberlin :)
Not everyone’s affections will be stirred for God by these specific things, but for us to ignore the goodness in the things God has given us leaves us missing out on creation…missing out on knowing God more fully. I must be mindful and cautious of our culture’s deceit in the pursuit of these good things. If they become my God, if they hold my joy, if my affections start to seek those things as ultimate then I am guilty of sin - and as the book of Hosea would say, that I have whored myself out to other gods, other idols and left my bridegroom, Jesus Christ. We should fill our lives with the things that stir our affections for Jesus, and run as fast as we can away from the things that rob us of affections for Jesus! But Jesus must remain the prize. He must remain the precious pearl and the treasure in the field. O God help us.
Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
To Him be the Glory and Honor and Power FOREVER!
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