A Holy Dissatisfaction...

Dissatisfaction manifests itself in various ways. It may show up as an uneasy feeling, like something is missing or just not quite "right," whatever that means. Sometimes a longing for something we may not be able to put our finger on or a strong uneasiness of something missing gnaws at our sense of well-being. At other times, it glares so brightly at us that we know exactly what we are dissatisfied with. However, it comes, it leaves us unsettled and sometimes even rattled.

There is a holy phenomenon that is spiritual dissatisfaction, and it can manifest itself in the same feelings as described above. It happens as a natural outflow of humans being created in the image of God as learned in the first chapters of Genesis. Because of our origination, we are, by our very nature, spiritual beings. One doesn't become a spiritual being when he enters into a personal relationship with God - he is born that way. And whether he ever has a personal relationship with God or not, he is still a spiritual being. That means every person has a soul, which will never die but will end this earthly life only to enter eternal life.

Thus, every person has a holy dissatisfaction that can only be satisfied by God. It comes in two stages: a longing to know God, and a longing to know God better and better. See, for the unbeliever, there is a deep desire in his heart to know the God who created him, to enter into a personal relationship with Him. Obviously, he doesn't always recognize who or what this deep desire is for. Until that recognition comes, he will try to fill that longing with other things - some good and some not-so-good. Family, work, being a good person, giving back to the community, etc., are all good, but at the end of the day, something is still missing. Too many times, destructive behaviors and choices are made thinking that dark hole will be filled only to realize the uneasiness is still there along with the consequences, some of which may last for a lifetime. I have heard many stories of people who tried to settle the uneasiness in their lives with many different things that didn't work. But once they entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they finally experienced a peace that not words could not explain (Philippians 4:7). Their lives didn't suddenly become perfect, and they still had to deal with life's issues and consequences of their past choices, but the void was gone, and they had access to the God who will supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).


Once a person has a personal relationship with Jesus, the holy dissatisfaction moves to the second stage. The need to know God morphs into a need to know Him on a deeper level - His character, His likes and dislikes, His plan and purpose for the individual. It is much like any budding relationship. The more one knows a person, the more one wants to know and the more time one wants to spend with that person. Going back to the beginning in Genesis, God created man for companionship. He created him in His own image so they could enter into a relationship. Therefore, the desire for that spiritual relationship is inherent. Paul often wrote about his desire to know God on a deeper level, to become more like Him. The desire was/is so strong, that it was/is a NEED. Paul writes about that need comparing it to an athlete running a long-distance race in Philippians 3. Some scholars think he is referring to an athlete competing in a chariot race. In the ancient Olympics, the chariot race was one of the most anticipated events. However, the chariot was not what we typically picture. It was a wooden platform balancing on two wheels with nothing to hold on to or brace against. The athlete had to balance himself while pushing the horses forward. It was a tremendously strenuous feat taking every muscle and nerve fiber to stay balanced and in his lane. That's the picture when he uses the term "press on" and says, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14) The prize he's referring to is knowing Jesus on a deeper, more intimate level - to become more like Him. Paul was never satisfied with His relationship with Jesus. He always wanted/needed more.

If that was true for Paul, think about the average believer! That is what a holy dissatisfaction is about and why a holy dissatisfaction is essential for spiritual growth. If you are feeling stagnant or frustrated or even disconnected, ask yourself about your spiritual condition. Usually, that is the root of all misery. I did not say all problems! Problems are a part of this life. How we deal and feel about our situations is contingent on where we are in our relationship with Jesus. If we are where we need to be with Him, then that unexplainable peace envelopes us. If not, then we are at the mercy of anger, sadness, frustration, bitterness, depression, and the list goes on...

We should never let ourselves get "satisfied" in our relationship with Him. When satisfied, we stop pressing onward; we stop growing. Instead, we should cry out to experience holy dissatisfaction - just as David did in Psalm 42:1-2. "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, for the living God..."

My Thoughts on Lent.....

The Lenten season is not observed by many Protestant congregations, probably due to its origin in the Catholic faith centuries ago as a process by which a person found forgiveness of  sin. We know that no tradition, ritual, or observation of a special day or season is necessary for the forgiveness of sin and the attainment of salvation. However, it can be a good thing to take time out of our busy lives and schedules to focus on the spiritual aspects of life. To me, that is what Lent provides. These forty some-odd days before Easter represent the forty days and nights that Jesus spent in the Garden before He began His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). During those days, He fasted and prayed - He was totally focused on God and God's plan for Him on this earth. He was also tempted three times by Satan himself to take matters into His own hands and use His power to rule the earth. Remember  that at this time, He was a human being. He was hungry and tired when Satan hit Him up. But because Jesus was focused on the Father, He was able to speak the Word to the devil, which allowed Him to repel those attacks. Those forty days of being alone with God and the many subsequent times He spent in quiet time with the Father empowered Him to be obedient to His calling, which was fulfilled when He rose from the dead on that first Easter morning. On that morning, Satan and all of his evil was defeated for eternity and salvation for each human being was made possible.

This is why I am giving Lent my attention this year. Not because it is necessary, but because it will be helpful to me as I refocus my attention on Jesus, the sacrifice He made for me, and the gift of  forgiveness and salvation that He has given me. It will prepare me to sing Hallelujah on Easter morning.

I am following a devotion series during this time from the website She Reads Truth. I encourage you to check it out. You can subscribe to it and get their devotions every morning. Read about the authors and the other devotion series they offer. It is a site recommended by many Protestant organizations. http://shereadstruth.com/category/plans/near-the-cross/

Whether you choose to observe Lent or not, challenge yourself to prepare for Easter in a meaningful way this year. In my way of thinking, it is by far the most important celebration of the Christian church. Without His death and resurrection, there would have been no reason for Him to be born in human flesh. Without Easter, Satan and all of the evil in this world would know no end. Without Easter, abundant life for the believer while still in this world would not be available. Without Easter, man's way to eternity with Jesus Christ would not be made possible.

Do not let this season of reflection pass without taking a long look at Who, what, why, and how God the Father sacrificed for mankind - and that sacrifice is offered to every living person. Believe me, it can be a life-changing reflection.

Praying More Than the Normal Routine Prayer

 
 

When we pray, we pray for people who fall into one of two categories: 1) they are unbelievers, or 2) they are believers. Should there be a difference in how or what we pray for these two groups? The answer is two-fold. Let me explain.

For someone in either category - saved or unsaved, we have the privilege of voicing our concerns about them to the Lord. Those concerns usually deal with health, safety, and help with pressing issues in their lives. And quite frankly, those are the items most on our minds. However, as important as any of those things are, there are things more important than any other that we should discipline ourselves to pray. For the unbeliever, it is salvation. Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that person has no access to the power that will enable her to face whatever life brings. For the one who is already a believer, the most important thing we can pray is that her relationship with Him grows deeper each day.

It is pretty easy for most Christians to pray the routine, habitual prayers about daily life for ourselves and for those we know and love. It takes a deeper commitment to pray deeper prayers about growth. I am not sure why that is unless it is because we haven't grown deeper in our own personal relationship with Him. It is hard to pray for something we don't understand ourselves or think is not that important.

So, how do we learn to pray this kind of powerful prayer for those we love? We only have to look to Paul for instruction. When he was writing his letter to the church at Philippi, his heart's desire was that they would grow to know and love the Lord Jesus more deeply than they could even imagine. Paul was experienced in that kind of relationship with the Lord and knew of the great benefits and abundant life that results from knowing Him on an intimate level.

In Philippians 1:9-11, Paul prays for the believers in that church, and in so doing, teaches us how to pray for other believers. In those verses, he prays for spiritual maturity, godly character, and he tells what the results those two things will bring the believer.

Philippians 1:9 - And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment

Love - This means Christ's love in you! And your love for Christ! The love used here is the agape love defined in 1 Cor. 13. It is the unconditional love that is not based on emotion or circumstances that God has for us. For a believer, this love comes from the Holy Spirit living in her heart. In this verse Paul is praying that the believers' love for Christ will continuously grow and overflow. 

Knowledge - Knowledge of Him, meaning to know Him intimately - who He is, His character, His love for us, His desires for us. Remember, He knows each one of us so intimately that He knows the number of hairs on our head and our deepest, hidden thoughts. He wants us to know Him in the same, most personal way.

Discernment - Spiritual discernment is the ability to distinguish God's will, what is right and moral in His eyes, and the difference between good and evil. Spiritual discernment is only available to believers as it is directed by the Holy Spirit.

These three qualities that Paul prays for his believer-friends to have are each a characteristic of Christ. Ultimately, he is praying that as they grow spiritually, they will become more and more like Christ.

Philippians 1:10a - So that you may approve the things that are excellent,

Approve - "Approve" means to acknowledge and apply to one's own life....

Things that are excellent - Those things that are of God, those things He approves of.

Praying that our believer-friends grow spiritually and mature in their personal relationship with Christ is one of, if not the most important thing we can ask for them. Because as they mature, they will be better equipped to deal with life's issues no matter how tough or tragic. Their ears will be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and sensitive to the attacks of the evil one.

 Philippians 1:10b - in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ,

 Sincere - In the original language, this word has two meanings that pertain to this context. One is "tested by sunlight." A sincere believer is not afraid to stand in the light - set apart from the world. The same idea as being a light in a world of darkness. The second is "to whirl in a sieve." The idea of winnowing process of removing chaff from the grain.

Blameless - This word means "without offense." Our lives should not offend our holy God!
As God works in our believer-friends maturing them spiritually so that they become more like Christ, they will reap results and blessings.

Philippians 1:11 - having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.

Fruits of righteousness - Every believer has the fruit of the Spirit within her because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. But a growing, maturing believer is aware of the fruit and is able to live life in that fruit and exudes that fruit to those around her. As her relationship with Christ is "right" and intimate, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are present and ever growing and overflowing. (Galatians 5:22-23) Other examples of the fruit of righteousness consists of winning the lost (Romans 1:13), holiness (Romans 6:22), good works (Colossians 1:10), and praise (Hebrews 13:15). 

So, as we think about how to pray for our believer-friends, let's remember to not only pray for their present needs and issues, but also to pray for their spiritual maturity. As one matures in Christ, everything else falls into place. She will take on more and more of Christ's character, and she will live more and more in the abundance of His fruit. And hers will be a life that brings glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Choice is Ours To Make

Paul's letter to the Philippian church is a call to live out the Christian life joyfully - in the pleasant seasons of life as well as through the storms that come our way. Through the first two chapters, he crystalizes a concept that has been turning over in my mind, and I want to challenge each of us to give it serious consideration as we continue to traverse the journey set before us. The concept is about the choice we must make in order to live in the joy that Paul talks so much about.

Paul put into perfect perspective the choice we have as believers and followers of Christ Jesus. In Philippians 1:21 he says, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." His whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become more like Him. Living means developing eternal values, living those values out, which brings the fruit of the Spirit into one's personal experience even in the darkest of days, and helping others find and live those values out through a personal relationship with Christ. When that is your heart's desire and your perspective on life, then dying is even better! In death, there is no more suffering, none of the "issues" that plague us, plus the fulfillment of seeing Christ face-to-face! 

If we don't choose that path, then we live in Philippians 2:21 where he says, "For they (those who are not believers AND those believers who do not fix their eyes consistently on Christ) all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus." Believers who seek their own interests are the ones who are overcome by the storms of life. They are drowning in their own self-pity, despair, depression, frustration, and/or anger because of what life has brought their way. These are the most frustrated, unhappy people on earth because deep in their heart is the Spirit's call to refocus their mind on the Christ - in whom they once put their trust.

Obviously, no one has reached perfection, and we won't until that day when He calls us home. So for now, it is impossible for us to live completely and solely in 1:21. However, we do choose from which perspective we strive to consistently live our lives. For some, it is a conscious, overt choice. For others, it has become a choice of omission. 

I know from scripture that each of us lives consistently in one of those choices.  We either live for Christ, doing our best and with the help of the Holy Spirit striving everyday to fix our gaze on Him and allowing Him to guide us in all that we do. Or we live for ourselves, giving an occasional glance His way. There is not much middle ground on this issue. We either are - or we aren't. 

This concept has really hit me as I ponder my life and the issues my family and I have been and are dealing with in the last year or so. There are things that I have not shared publicly because I am not at liberty to do so. But just know that you are not alone in facing down the giants of heartache and heartbreak. It comes to all of us as seasons we must pass through. Let's choose to live in 1:21 and live for Christ in the good times and the bad. And let's choose to be burdened believers as Epaphroditus was - burdened for the needs and concerns of others (Philippians 2:25-30). And let's choose the Word of God and prayer as our spiritual weapons to use to spread our faith and defend our faith and that of our sisters in Christ. When we choose to live for Christ, we are choosing joy!