On Deisre and Joy
"I don't know if I have ever tasted this kind of desire. Christiainity was never presented to me like this. I never knew that the desire for God and delight in God were crucial. I was always told that feelings didn't matter. Now I am finding evidence evidence all over the bible that the pursuit of joy in God, and the awakening of all kinds of spiritual affections, are part of the essence of the newborn Christian heart. This discovery excites me and frightens me. I want this. But I fear I don't have it. In fact, as far as I can see, it is outside my power to obtain. How do you get desire that you don't have and you can't create? Or how do you turn the spark into a flame so you can be sure it is pure fire?"
"How can I obtain or recover a joy in Christ that is so deep and strong that it will free me from bondage to western comforts and security, and will impel me into sacrifices of mercy and missions, and will sustain me in the face of martyrdom?"
John Piper, When I don't desire God, Fighting for Joy
ISBM 1-904774-01-6
posted by James @ 9:40 AM
1 Comments:
Just today I have been thinking about this. I have to admit that I am not giving myself completely to God. There is a part of me that fights for my self, my comfort, my time. Fundamentally though I believe that the issue is one of desire, do I desire God above all else, am I willing to put Him absolutely and unequivacly first. The heart of being sold out for God is in not merely desire for Jesus but a complete desperation for Him.
There is also definitely something in the concept of 'taste and see'. It is only in the tasting that our thirst is satisfied, but at the same time the satisfaction brings only a deeper desire to taste again. Maybe in the beginning the desire is not there and we must be disciplined to keep on tasting until we not only start to feel the desire but it is so strong that we cannot know peace until that desire is fulfilled.
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