091207

September 12, 2007

Desperate for Christ Alone

by Shana Schutte

When the world and all it offers fails to meet my hopes, I am often reminded that God doesn't want me to be desperate for anything but Him: desperate for His presence; to know Him more; hear His voice, and do His will. Only this kind of desperation leads to the abundant life He wants to grant me (John 10:10). All other objects of desperation, when I refuse to give them second place after Christ, can lead to the deep wounding of my heart.

Even if we're convinced we've found abundant life and ultimate satisfaction in something we want, we eventually discover we're desperate once more, because nothing ever ultimately satisfies but Christ's presence. Not a career, money, success, or even His greatest gifts, like marital love, children or friendships.

Ah yes, we can experience deep joy through these things, and even discover God in part through them as the Giver of all that is good. But ultimately, God will not allow His children to be completely satisfied in anything but Him. Why? He wants to force us to our knees and to His heart, because He's desperate for us to be desperate for Him. He knows what's good for us and He is it!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. and I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws" Ezekiel 36:26

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