The Good Things in Life

Good things

God has given us good things to enjoy including food, music, beauty, adrenalin and sex. Their purpose is to reflect him and to direct us toward him. We need Him, and Him only, while the rest is bonus.

In theory then, our highest highs are still only a fraction of Him. However, our sin nature makes it hard for us to hear him or to tap into that joy He provides.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

We instead make the “good things” the end, not the means, and so they can become bad – addictive and distracting.

God’s Point of View

God:

• Is very concerned that we worship him alone Deut 8:19
• Is keen for us to be completely fulfilled and joyful
• Requires that we put aside the “good things” if they threaten to distract us from him

There is an element of sacrifice – we demonstrate our love and need for Him by letting go of the things we like, in order to obtain what we need.

Our Point of View

But:

• The craving for these things is strong
• They are in our faces, while God is more out of sight
• Our culture tells us that they are the be all and end all

So

What do I do, minute by minute?

• Seek Him
• Jeremiah 29:13-14 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. If anyone seeks my face, I will be found by you, declares the Lord
• James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him
• Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
• You can’t change you – He can
• Seek joy
• Fight for it (Bible reading, prayer, repentance)
• Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
• Worship Him Psalm 21:6 .You make him glad with the joy of your presence.
• Hebrews 12:2
• Be a living sacrifice
• Put aside
• The cravings
• The “yes buts”
• The rights, “I deserve better than this…"
• Comfort
• Enjoy the good things
• In submission (to Him)
• In context (of their purpose)
• In thankfulness (to Him)
• In service (of His glory)

As I ponder this, I think I am onto something new and life changing. However, as I write it down, it simply seems to be a repeat of things I have read (Piper, White, C.S. Lewis), but obviously never grasped.

Duh

Matthew 6:³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV)