“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

―C.S. Lewis

On Sunday I talked about people being far too easily pleased. I referenced this quote from C.S. Lewis on Sunday but I wanted to unpack this principle further.

It seems too often we are drawn to the things of the world and find ourselves somewhat pleased with those things. I don't want to get specific about what those things may be, because that's between you and the Lord (pray about it).

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

Psalm 107:9

How often do you find yourself satisfied by God? Or do you even expect to be satisfied by God? I know that for myself I have to be intentional about seeking my satisfaction in God. It comes natural for us to try and be satisfied by things that are OF the flesh because we are still IN our flesh, or another way to say it, the human part of us wants the human things around us. Now, being created in the image of God has left us with a need for the things of God, but being separated from the complete presence of God makes it difficult for us to be inclined to seek that which we cannot see. Not unlike people who do not prepare for future things like retirement or small things like vacation. It's not natural for all of us to invest in things we cannot or do not see. This is why I love the analogy that C.S. Lewis gives about the idea of a vacation on the beach.

Think about this child for a moment. Sitting in the mud, making mud pies not even thinking about the idea of going on a vacation to the ocean. Maybe you're not a beach guy (I'm a mountain guy myself) but surely you understand the principle. Mud or ocean? I'll take the ocean! Mud or Mountains? I'll take the mountains! Temporary or eternal? Surely we should seek to gain the eternal!

How do we gain the eternal? John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Through a consistent relationship with Jesus we begin to see the eternal, because through Jesus we meet God!

So, I hope you men will consider that the things of this world are just the things of this world and that you will do what the old hymn says

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace."

Stay faithful brothers!