are we happy? we always think there's got to be something more that will make us happier than we are now. it's the same lie we believed in the garden...
"now God had given adam & eve only one rule: 'don't eat the fruit on that tree,' God told them. 'because if you do, you'll think you know everything. you'll stop trusting me. & then death & sadness & tears will come.' (you see, God knew if they ate the fruit, they would think they didn't need him. & they would try to make themselves happy without him. but God knew there was no such thing as happiness without him, & life without him wouldn't be life at all.) as soon as the snake saw his chance, he slithered silently up to eve. 'does God really love you?' the serpent whispered. 'if he does, why won't he let you eat the nice, juicy, delicious fruit? poor you, perhaps God doesn't want you to be happy.' the snake's words hissed into her ears & sunk down deep into her heart, like poison. "does God love me?" eve wondered. suddenly she didn't know anymore. 'just trust me,' the serpent whispered. 'you don't need God. one small taste, that's all, & you'll be happier than you could ever dream...' eve picked the fruit & ate some. & adam ate some too. & a terrible lie came into the world. it would never leave. it would live on in every human heart, whispering to every one of God's children: 'God doesn't love me.'"
-sally lloyd-jones, the Jesus storybook Bible
this world was not meant to be like this... looking out for what we think will make us happy. we were meant to be so completely & utterly consumed with the ONLY thing that brings real happiness... our Lord! but that lie is in our hearts telling us that "God doesn't love me". & we believe that because of sickness & sadness & hardship that He doesn't love us. how could He really love us & allow this world to be lost & broken?!?! but our dear Father does! He has not abandoned us. from the beginning He wanted us to be completely happy in His always & forever love. & we still look for "something else"... we always will. we are the prodigal son. but He is it. He is all. He is enough. He is more. may our hearts be satisfied in Him alone. & when our eyes begin to wander to some other lesser love... may our gaze be fixed again on Him, our wonderful, gorgeous, beautiful, Savior!
al
ps
these thoughts reminded me of similar thoughts that i had here.
5 comments:
really wish you still lived here. I could totally meet you for coffee and ask you to say this all to my face. Such a NEEDED reminder for me today.
Thanks for sharing:)
this is such a sweet reminder that God is there even in the mess and that he is calling us to find joy and happiness in him alone.
I found your blog today from a link on Kate&Kuby so glad to be here and be a new follower :)
Thank you SO much for this!
God bless you!
amen.
love. xx
Amen! He really is all that we need! Good word!
Post a Comment