I get mad when I don’t get stuff I want. When I can’t eat like I want to or buy coffee because Dave Ramsey says it’s not in the budget, that kind of gets my goat. But why? Is it really a big deal?
In reality: no, no it isn’t. But I don’t always fully grasp reality. The reality of our spiritual existence is that there is more to experience then the here-and-now. But I don’t get that. Really, what’s happening when I get upset about not being able to get a new pair of flip-flops for spring is that I’m lacking faith in God’s promise of eternity. What I’m really saying is that I need to experience pleasure now, because I may not later–and that’s a lack of faith in God’s promises. My wish to have stuff now suggests I don’t hold much faith in eternity.
Jesus understood better things were yet to come for him–why else would we have the cross? I think Paul had faith that better experiences were ahead. There are some contemporaries who have full faith, too (though they are seldom recognized… do you know any?).
What I’m discovering is that by insisting I need things now, I’m telling God I don’t trust in His promise for eternity. That was a sobering thought this morning. Now it’s time to attempt change…
