Things are still going well here at the care points and I’m enjoying life. Not a lot has happened outside of the usual. The last week has gone by very well and I’ve had a lot of time to sit and be filled up by the Lord. I thought I’d share some of my thoughts:
A CENTURY OF “BLESSINGS”
I think that many people are caught up in the things of this world and even the blessings the Lord has put in their lives. We choose to worship those gifts and dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of pleasure rather than enjoying the gifts and worshiping the giver. What our loving Father meant to be blessings as sweet as honey and as strengthening as meat ends up turning to poison in our stomachs.
In a century filled with endless and often mind-numbing entertainment I wonder about the things that I enjoy and if they bring glory to God. Movies, games, books, music, Netflix, comics, YouTube, social media, etc. are all pulling for my attention. In previous blogs I’ve talked about giving these things up to devote myself to practicing the presence of God and seeking complete satisfaction in Him. And there was a lot I learned from the 45 days that I gave those things up and sought after Him more intentionally.
WRESTLING WITH CONVICTIONS
Ultimately it was wrestling with my convictions that brought me to end that “fast” once I reached Africa. God has formed me to be who I am. He created in me these desires and passions, many of which seem innocent and good. He delights in who I am. So I’ve wondered if that means I should go ahead and enjoy the gifts He’s given me? I’m cautious of this though because:
“God has set eternity in our hearts and we have chosen time instead. He is trying to interest us in a glorious tomorrow and we are settling for an inglorious today. We are bogged down in local interests and have lost sight of eternal purposes. We improvise and muddle along, hoping for heaven at last but showing no eagerness to get there, correct in doctrine but weary of prayer and bored with God.” – A.W. Tozer, The Set of the Sail.
I don’t want to “settle for an inglorious today” or be “bogged down in local interests” or distracted and enamored with gifts when there is so much to be found in the LORD alone. I have a desire for the Lord. He is my one true delight. He has given me gifts but I must not let these gifts take the spotlight. I have often thought, “Though God may be glorified when I enjoy the gifts He has given me; wouldn’t He be more glorified if I offered those gifts back, asking/desiring/longing and then receiving full satisfaction in Him?”
I believe there is some truth to this. But gifts are meant to be received. I may enjoy them; for that is why they were given. God loves and delights in me and wants me to find delight in the blessings He chooses to give. So if I am to enjoy them it must be with a heart of thanksgiving and praise to the Giver. All of the blessings I enjoy are gifts from my Father that are meant to point to Him. He must always be the focus. He must always be my ultimate delight even when I choose to enjoy the gifts He’s given me.
“The created world is to be prized for its usefulness, loved for its beauty, and esteemed as the gift of God to His children. Love of natural beauty which has been the source of so much pure music, poetry and art is a good and desirable thing. Though the unregenerate soul is likely to enjoy nature for its own sake and ignore the God whose gift it is, there is nothing to prevent an enlightened Christian who loves God supremely from loving all things for God’s dear sake.” – A. W. Tozer, The Set of the Sail.
SHARING PASSIONS
As I wrestle with my convictions I know I must continue in self control. Though I am in freedom I must not be ruled by freedom. I will consider the blessings the Lord has given me, the interests I have, and the things that delight me. I will only partake in those that bring me most delight and can be enjoyed in thankfulness with Him and hopefully with others, which leads into my next point.
When we share a gift with others, that brings even more glory to God. God has given me this delight and when I share it with another it delights Him even further to see that I have become so full of that delight I simply must share it.
One passion that I have is for board and card games. Near the beginning of the Race I taught Michelle Backgammon. As I enjoyed it with her and was filled with delight in that time I believe it rubbed off on her. Now nearing the end of the Race she loves Backgammon. She plays it every night before bed. She even taught her teammate. It brought me great joy to see that she delighted in what I had shared with her so much that she would share it with another.
A few days ago Michelle had the idea to create a Games with Ethan sign up calendar. So far I’ve been delighted sharing this passion the Lord has placed in me. It’s opened up a doorway for new and deepened relationships with my squad mates. Not only that but it allows me to share the passion that I have.
Being on the Race in general my passions for certain things have increased dramatically based off of my teammates. Being around Joe has strengthened my delight in the MCU and movies in general. Being around Jordy has strengthened my delight in theology. Being around Will has strengthened my delight in beauty. and on and on.
DELIGHT IN THE LORD
Just because I am enjoying the gifts, passions, and desires the Father has given me doesn’t mean I’m not seeking Him and delighting myself in Him. He is the ultimate delight of my life. Without Him all would be vain; no pleasure would even start to quench the infinite longings of my heart for Him. For this season at least, I am choosing to enjoy the gifts He has blessed me with as a means to enjoy Him.
O Christ, He is the fountain,
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I’ve tasted
More deep I’ll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel’s land.
– Rutherford
