What We Really Desire

Day 335: 1 John 2:1-17

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world.” - 1 John 2:16-17 ESV

We all are so easily enamored with what we see. Whether it is 1 million followers on Instagram or 1 million dollars in our bank account, we are suckers for what the world has to offer. Why? Because it is "available" now, and it is "quick," and we can "control" it, and it is just so stinking "attractive."

Why wouldn't God want me to have all of these good things? Doesn't He love me? Doesn't He want me to be happy?

God doesn't exist in all of His power and glory to give us all that we want. He is actually more in favor of not giving us most of what we want (when we want it). Though we think we are experts in knowing what will truly make us happy, we are, in reality, novices.

God, on the other hand? He knows exactly what we need to be joyful, not only now but for all of eternity. The answer isn't found rummaging through the things of this world. It is found in willful submission to His way, the way of following His Son, Jesus Christ.

It isn't easy. It doesn't always feel good. People don't always reciprocate our love and forgiveness. Yet it is the best way to live, both now and forever, Amen.

"For that day, as well as for our own day, humanity must obey the commands of God’s choice, not its own. In our age of wanting to make our own decisions, we must carefully follow what God wants rather than what we want." - Womack, M. M. (1998). 1, 2 & 3 John (1 Jn 2:17)