The Pursuit of Pleasure

August 23, 2006

Lar,

That is a phenomenal quote. I have read it a few times before, but you just can’t get enough of something like that. The thing that stood out to me immediately (particularly in his reflection) is how misguided and blind the world is in pursuit of its pleasures. And not only that, but how lukewarm we all are in pursuit of the happiness our hearts desire.

It really is striking how the fall not only made us blind to the Source of all true and lasting happiness and peace and pleasure and joy and satisfaction (and any other good word you can think of!), but how it stifled our ability to most fully enjoy that Source when found. It made us, as C.S. Lewis said, half-hearted creatures. It is as if our hearts are now willing to make a bargain of sorts, to pretend that we really are happy even though a longing remains deep within.

Of course, this points to the simple fact that because of the fall, our hearts are deceitful above all else and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Those who say they are happy apart from God really believe it, but sadly they are deceived. They convince themselves that all is well, and silence the longing within. Only by God’s grace is it awakened through whatever means the Lord may employ. In particular, continual exposure to the truth–in both word and practice–serves to stir up that inner longing of the heart, that great longing for the happiness that is full and forever.

Yet it is worth mentioning (as you alluded to) that it is every Christian’s duty to cultivate that inner longing for greater and greater happiness in God through Jesus Christ. And it really does take cultivation. That needs to be emphasized, particularly in America, because there are so many things screaming at us, promising to bring us the happiness we desire. It is no coincidence that we find many in the American church sleeping. They have made a bargain with their hearts and settled for the American dream–which for many includes church involvement. And this might be the saddest thing of all: millions who have been exposed to Christ (and even worse, been vessels through which He has been exposed) have settled into the comfortable routine of American, moral, external, nice-guy Christianity. There is no longing. There is no burden. There is no fire. They are content with less than God’s best and are desperate to be awakened.

This is my burden Lar, as you well know. There are millions who think they know Jesus Christ when in fact, all they know is a comfortable, bargain with your hearts, nice-guy Christianity. These people have had just enough of Jesus to be inoculated to the real thing. Even when they are confrontedby the truth of hypocrisy or whatever else, they always think that you are talking about someone else. It really is amazing and very sad.

It is hard to go to the furthest reaches of the earth for the sake of the gospel. But I would also argue that it can be just as hard ministering to those who already think they have the answers. Both are frustrating. And I am praying that the Lord might raise up many men who would be used by Him to awaken His sleeping people (or at least, His professing sleepy people). The road is narrow that leads to life and few find it. The broad road is a religious and moral one and many travel it to hell. This is serious business and it can be frustrating and disheartening business. But let us persevere in prayer and preaching and writing and sharing and living so that the Lord might pour out His Spirit upon us and awaken all those who think they are where they are supposed to be!

Those who are not passionately pursuing their highest happiness in God should count themselves in a dangerous position. Every day is a battle, it’s a war, that we need to fight by doing all we can to cultivate a deeper longing for joy in God. The moment we get content, in that moment, we begin to die.

Never resting until we meet Jesus,

Joe

Posted by Joe | Filed Under Random Musings 

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