01/26/12

If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the
friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and
all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties
you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no
human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with
heaven, if Christ were not there?
― John Piper

Could I be satisfied with heaven if You were not there? The question is frightening because we both know the answer. Thinking about this reminds me how much I need You Jesus. I need Your grace because I can not do it on my own.

What a selfish creature I am to think I want our wedding but I've forgotten the bridegroom. To get so caught up in how heaven will look, who will be there with me, what will there be to do, will I enjoy it? All the sudden be reminded that the whole purpose is to finally be in Your presence. It doesn't matter how fancy the wedding cake is or if all of my friends want to come. The only thing that matters is the joining of me with my creator. Without the barrier of my sins, without my selfishness, pride, or fear holding us back.

Could I be satisfied without You? We both know it isn't possible but my flesh sure would like to try.

The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie.
It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for
heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not
the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we
drink in every night.
― John Piper

Is the reason I get caught up in the wedding's appearance more than the reason for the wedding because that is where my focus is?

Do I not think I need your presence in my life every second and every breath because I've already filled my plate with TV, friends, and pleasure for myself? It's scary to think of us having this conversation:

"Lord! Lord! I prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name."

But You reply, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws."

We desperately need to explore how much of our understanding of the gospel is American and how much is biblical.
― David Platt

Am I living my life correctly? Is this how You want me to live? Is my life a pleasing offering to You? Am I living American or Biblical? Am I wasting this life You've given me by getting caught up in my culture? Or am I losing my life in Your presence?

It is better to lose your life than to waste it.
― John Piper