The Insatiable Desire
I listened intently as the pastor spoke about a life fulfilled and a life with meaning. We all crave it. We crave the insatiable desire to make meaning out of moments. Our social media proves this. Why else would someone be compelled to post edited pictures of their food if not for the purpose of trying to squeeze meaning out of even the smallest of life’s details?
I’m guilty of this, too (yes, even the part about food – but only because there was Nutella involved). But not just in little moments. In all moments I find myself craving meaning and desiring to create a memory and not just a moment. I think this craving goes beyond primitive – this desire is a gift from the Almighty God.
Think on this…God created from nothing this very world in which we live. He took dust and made man and from the rib of man made woman. God took these small moments into His hands and crafted a holy moment, a sacred ground. Then He planted within us a similar desire.
When the pastor was done and we were back in the car my mind continued on this thought of making meaning, of making worth. We drove up Gold Camp Road until we came to the trailhead we wanted. Trail runners tied tight we began making our way up through mud, snow, and dirt and were encompassed by everything beautiful. I knew my eyes needed to remain on the trail in front of me in case of ice, but they couldn’t resist the beauty of the trees, the icy creek that wound its way along with us, and snow-caped woods keeping the magic of the moment.
Throughout the hike we found moments worth stopping for. Sometimes it was a glimmering rock that caught our eye, sometimes it was an opening in the tree line that created a view over the city, and sometimes it was the perfect way the sunbeams shot the tree gap and gathered in a warm glow. All of these moments were beautiful, but it wasn’t until the very top that we had the best moment worth hiking for. Our hike should’ve ended at the falls, but once we saw they were frozen over and that there was a higher place to climb, we thought “why not”. We scrambled to the higher ground where a large boulder’s face stuck out from the side of the mountain. This was truly the perfect spot. We had climbed just high enough to be back in the sunshine and this rock was positioned for a perfect view of Colorado Springs and all of her neighbors.
I lay down with my face toward the light and breathed deeply as I allowed the sun to warm my body back up. It was completely quiet. Not a single car or any other voice could be heard. Silent prayers of thanks and gratitude for this moment ran through my head. Aware of God’s grace and all of His creative wonder I lay completely at peace. I had forgotten all of life’s little worries that attempt to saddle to my shoulders.
When my mind and heart are set on Christ, my mind and heart are set at peace.
Making meaning from moments…as humans it’s what we love to do, and I couldn’t resist this moment. What makes each moment that I slow down for so purposeful is that Christ is in each moment. When I pause to look at the mountain, His majesty is reflected. When I notice a sunrise, His light is what warms me. When I notice any beauty it’s really Christ I see.
But what about those who don’t know Christ? Do they too see these moments? Am I enraptured by beauty simply because of the aesthetic aspect or because Christ has created that moment for me to notice to Him? How can those who don’t know Christ make true meaning from a moment? How can those who don’t know Christ experience true peace?
Friends this is where we enter the picture. For, “how then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14 ESV). We can no longer stand idly by. We are given a great assignment to spread the Gospel to all those who can hear yet we are often more concerned with what the day holds for ourselves or what life can give us.
I think of the three guys I live with in Joel’s Home. Can they see meaning and purpose in the little things? Do they see the full spectrum of beauty without Christ to fill the moment? Can they see just how precious their lives truly are if they are apart from Him?
What about you? Who do you know who needs to hear of their value and worth? Who do you know who needs “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18 NIV)? Who has Christ purposefully placed in your life for you to share Ultimate Fulfillment? Who do you know who needs the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding?
Dear friends my prayer for you as you read this is one specific person will come to mind. I pray you are so bothered by the void in this person’s life that you can’t help but tell them about the True Fulfiller. I pray also you will be moved to intercession. Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool in bringing others to the knowledge of Christ. Lastly, I hope you will join me in praying for the salvation of these wonderful young men I live with. Will you pray for salvation that comes through discovery of Truth and sanctification that comes through an intimate relationship with Christ?
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved…For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
– Romans 10:1, 13 (ESV)