Desire, the update

What has the past week of prayer lead you to? How is the journey going? I have had a number of realizations and reminders through the week. I thought I would elaborate on a couple.

1) Reading Genesis I was reminded that the Bible says “Let us make them.” We were created by and for relationship both with the Trinity and with each other. I often feel much more at easy behind the scenes, plugging away at the computer. However, I really come alive in discussion with a few close friends around the coffee table. I love to sit and talk with one or two friends over a cup of coffee. We can discuss anything but I love to speak about and debate simple Christianity. In other word, I love to sit and talk, especially about the things God, with my friends in a nice comfortable setting. As Genesis clearly states, I was made for relationship.

2) Often I’m fooled into thinking I’m made to complete a number of tasks. My life feels more like a series of problems that need to be solved or principles that have to be mastered. I think this is true for many men in their Christian walk as well. Sometimes if feels as though we must master a certain number of items before we finally enter into the abundant life promised by Christ. There is a tendency to live out our faith as external activities rather than an internal yearning for God. We sense that something is wrong, and perhaps try to fix it—by tinkering with our public/church going life. We tried the latest spiritual fad (WWJD, think about the fad but also what did Jesus do to spiritual fads during his time on Earth), or a new church, or simply redoubling our commitment to make faith work. This leads to weary, jaded, or simply bored Christian men. The desire we have in our hearts is not a list of tasks. I urge you to take this opportunity to ask yourself where your church and personal activities are leading you. Are you being bored, or pacified? Are you inspired and encouraged? Are you passionate? God gave you a desire that you will be passionate about.

Finally Brothers. I would like to leave you with this question. What do you look forward to in heaven? Heaven is not some unending church service. We won’t just sing for eternity. Heaven is something more than that. We won’t be given the task to sing Amazing Grace, in key, for the next 10,000 years. God made man for relationship with himself. I am looking forward to the day that I can sit at the Father’s table. Look Jesus in the eye and just speak with him as I do my earthly friends. I have so many questions to ask but that isn’t the point. I just want to have a nice intimate conversation with my greatest friend. I believe God wants that for me too. He wouldn’t have given me this desire if He didn’t want to fulfill the desire. So it’s your turn.

What are you looking forward to in heaven?

In Christ,
MT