Seeking God for the Right Reasons
Jun 23, 2016 09:00:28 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
Seeking God for the Right Reasons
by Crosswalk.com Contributor Sarah Phillips
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1: 21
I ran across an article years ago that really touched me. In her piece "A Change of Plans," Lindsy Pike details the excruciating decision to call off her wedding to a man she loved dearly. Reflecting on the mix of pain and peace that comes with any situation where we must give up something precious, Pike rewinds a few centuries to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac:
"God promised to give Abraham a son and finally, after years of waiting, God came through, with Isaac. Why in the world would God ask Abraham to give up that gift? In my opinion, it is for the same reason He asked me to call off my wedding. God wants us to love Him more than we love His promises. The minute we get those out of order, He readjusts us.”
While we don’t fully know the mind of God in Abraham’s situation, Pike’s simple thought sheds light on a struggle I think all of us encounter at some time in our lives – the struggle to love God above everything else, even His blessings. God wants us to love Him because of who He is, not what He can give us. Yet, how often do we confuse our love of God’s promises with love of Him? How often do we see Him as the divine blessing machine, ready to dole out happiness on our terms? The popularity of "prosperity theology" reveals how easy it is for believers to twist love of God into the pursuit of earthly happiness.
To be honest, it’s not just greed that gets in the way of loving God. It’s also a limited understanding of who God is. I used to wonder how some Christians could sit for over an hour praying. Is God really that interesting? I’d wonder. This type of thinking reveals a fundamental flaw in how I perceived God, and I think that flaw is what keeps many from coming to Christ in the first place. It’s easy to see Him as limited like we are limited. It’s easy to forget that God is truly our all in all. As C.S. Lewis once said, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
Still, had I not gone through a similar situation, I might not have believed Pike’s sincerity when she says: "I am thankful for His grace that saved me from ruining my life by pursuing my dream."
In a “reach for the stars, be anything you can be” culture, the idea that pursuing any dream could ruin my life seems foreign. The more I think about it, though, the more I see that living outside God’s will – even if it is for a “good reason” – is a recipe for failure.
Yet, when we give up our dreams for something greater - for Someone greater than ourselves - we begin to see we can trust God no matter what. We find solace in the incredible peace that comes with knowing that even if life here includes sorrow or dreams unfulfilled, there is a God that transcends not only all that’s missing in this life, but also all the good this life has to offer.
Intersecting Faith & Life: This week, do something for God without expecting any reward or blessing in return.
Further Reading
John 16: 33
Author Debunks Prosperity Gospel Myth
by Crosswalk.com Contributor Sarah Phillips
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1: 21
I ran across an article years ago that really touched me. In her piece "A Change of Plans," Lindsy Pike details the excruciating decision to call off her wedding to a man she loved dearly. Reflecting on the mix of pain and peace that comes with any situation where we must give up something precious, Pike rewinds a few centuries to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac:
"God promised to give Abraham a son and finally, after years of waiting, God came through, with Isaac. Why in the world would God ask Abraham to give up that gift? In my opinion, it is for the same reason He asked me to call off my wedding. God wants us to love Him more than we love His promises. The minute we get those out of order, He readjusts us.”
While we don’t fully know the mind of God in Abraham’s situation, Pike’s simple thought sheds light on a struggle I think all of us encounter at some time in our lives – the struggle to love God above everything else, even His blessings. God wants us to love Him because of who He is, not what He can give us. Yet, how often do we confuse our love of God’s promises with love of Him? How often do we see Him as the divine blessing machine, ready to dole out happiness on our terms? The popularity of "prosperity theology" reveals how easy it is for believers to twist love of God into the pursuit of earthly happiness.
To be honest, it’s not just greed that gets in the way of loving God. It’s also a limited understanding of who God is. I used to wonder how some Christians could sit for over an hour praying. Is God really that interesting? I’d wonder. This type of thinking reveals a fundamental flaw in how I perceived God, and I think that flaw is what keeps many from coming to Christ in the first place. It’s easy to see Him as limited like we are limited. It’s easy to forget that God is truly our all in all. As C.S. Lewis once said, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
Still, had I not gone through a similar situation, I might not have believed Pike’s sincerity when she says: "I am thankful for His grace that saved me from ruining my life by pursuing my dream."
In a “reach for the stars, be anything you can be” culture, the idea that pursuing any dream could ruin my life seems foreign. The more I think about it, though, the more I see that living outside God’s will – even if it is for a “good reason” – is a recipe for failure.
Yet, when we give up our dreams for something greater - for Someone greater than ourselves - we begin to see we can trust God no matter what. We find solace in the incredible peace that comes with knowing that even if life here includes sorrow or dreams unfulfilled, there is a God that transcends not only all that’s missing in this life, but also all the good this life has to offer.
Intersecting Faith & Life: This week, do something for God without expecting any reward or blessing in return.
Further Reading
John 16: 33
Author Debunks Prosperity Gospel Myth
Jun 23, 2016 09:30:30 #
Good article: I am reminded of the Apostle Paul who said he had been poor and rich and new how to live either way. The trick to me seems to be obeying the first commandment above all else, loving God no matter what.
Jun 24, 2016 12:59:22 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Seeking God for the Right Reasons br by Crosswalk.... (show quote)
Very interesting.
Jun 24, 2016 15:03:37 #
It's better to give than receive. Give God the glory for all things good in your life and question if you had something to due with the bad things in your life!
Jun 24, 2016 15:06:53 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
kenhissner wrote:
It's better to give than receive. Give God the glory for all things good in your life and question if you had something to do with the bad things in your life!
AMEN!!!
Jun 24, 2016 16:20:03 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Seeking God for the Right Reasons br by Crosswalk.... (show quote)
Very good post. God is not a vending machine. His will is the safest place to be even if we can't understand it at the moment. God will never with-hold anything that He knows is good and safe for us in His plan. Thanks for posting.
Jun 24, 2016 16:25:05 #
kenswalts wrote:
Good article: I am reminded of the Apostle Paul who said he had been poor and rich and new how to live either way. The trick to me seems to be obeying the first commandment above all else, loving God no matter what.
We live in a time where what you say is very true. Seeking God first, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, comes before receiving things to be added. Amen
America has been so rich for a long time, soon we may be taught a lesson in living poor.
Jun 24, 2016 22:52:49 #
Armageddun wrote:
Very good post. God is not a vending machine. His ... (show quote)
Rest in HIS arms. He loves us.
Jun 25, 2016 05:57:45 #
mcmlx wrote:
Rest in HIS arms. He loves us.
That is t***h!!!
Loved the message..The title does have me thinking though...I have to wonder in seeking God is there any wrong reason?? God, religion and Spirit have such different meanings or purpose to each of us..As well as the reason...
Jun 25, 2016 10:46:45 #
lindajoy wrote:
That is t***h!!!
Loved the message..The title does have me thinking though...I have to wonder in seeking God is there any wrong reason?? God, religion and Spirit have such different meanings or purpose to each of us..As well as the reason...
Loved the message..The title does have me thinking though...I have to wonder in seeking God is there any wrong reason?? God, religion and Spirit have such different meanings or purpose to each of us..As well as the reason...
Religion seems to be more about rules, do's and don't's.
We are saved by grace through faith and not by works.
Just the very fact that GOD created each one of us, formed in our mother's womb, lets me know that he made us different for a reason. HE understands us. Just as a parent knows how to meet each child's different needs, how much more does our Father in heaven knows what we need!
Jun 25, 2016 11:00:04 #
mcmlx wrote:
Religion seems to be more about rules, do's and don't's.
We are saved by grace through faith and not by works.
Just the very fact that GOD created each one of us, formed in our mother's womb, lets me know that he made us different for a reason. HE understands us. Just as a parent knows how to meet each child's different needs, how much more does our Father in heaven knows what we need!
We are saved by grace through faith and not by works.
Just the very fact that GOD created each one of us, formed in our mother's womb, lets me know that he made us different for a reason. HE understands us. Just as a parent knows how to meet each child's different needs, how much more does our Father in heaven knows what we need!
Absolutely agree..well said!!
Jun 25, 2016 11:38:04 #
mcmlx wrote:
Religion seems to be more about rules, do's and don't's.
We are saved by grace through faith and not by works.
Just the very fact that GOD created each one of us, formed in our mother's womb, lets me know that he made us different for a reason. HE understands us. Just as a parent knows how to meet each child's different needs, how much more does our Father in heaven knows what we need!
We are saved by grace through faith and not by works.
Just the very fact that GOD created each one of us, formed in our mother's womb, lets me know that he made us different for a reason. HE understands us. Just as a parent knows how to meet each child's different needs, how much more does our Father in heaven knows what we need!
That one point alone is enough to ponder for a life time. In this case "why me"? is ok.
Just think, out of all those little squiggly things and one egg, we came into existence. God's wisdom and plan for each of us is indescribable. Just to "be" is a miracle.
That t***h plus the complexity of nature that works together is so awe-inspiring. Great is His Name and Greatly to be praised.
Religion is man looking up to God and saying, "Look what I have done for you."
Christianity is God pointing to the Cross and saying, "Look what Jesus has done for you."
Jun 25, 2016 11:40:06 #
Armageddun wrote:
That one point alone is enough to ponder for a lif... (show quote)
Very true!!
Remember, with each child born, it is a message from God, He is not yet discouraged with mankind...
Jun 25, 2016 16:29:25 #
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