Some might say: I want
financial success, a nice house, an important job, beauty, health, a good
marriage, and good relationships. I want my children to be successful; I want
to travel; I want to have fun and enjoy life.
Others might distill the above
desires down further: a desire for validation, admiration, happiness,
excitement, comfort, love, freedom from pain and suffering, peace.
Yet, is this the purest form of
what we are really seeking? I don’t
think so. I suspect that we will not find
satisfaction until we become one with God.
The following analogy by Dallas
Willard hints at this truth:
“I was raised in southern Missouri where the land is
mineral poor. Cows and sheep there will find piles of junk or refuse out in the
fields or woods and eat old dry-cell batteries and rusty wire and nails to get
the minerals that they need, and they die of it. The hunger for spiritual depth
that we see manifested across our culture becomes a threat to a meaningful and
practically effective understanding of spiritual formation as it should be
presented by followers of Christ. And this threat has several forms.” (Dallas
Willard)
Just like those poor cows who try to meet their
needs by eating batteries, we find deadly substitutes to fill our deepest
spiritual longings. We rummage through junk, not realizing the harm we are
causing to ourselves. We spend our entire lives seeking validation, happiness,
love, comfort, relief, and peace. Yet, we remain discontent.
I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…(song by U2)Link to song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnD6ojjA0OA
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