Drop the Mud

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around 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, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses

There is nobody like Jesus! You can line up every religious leader, prophet, teacher, and figure in history and they all have to stand totally apart from Jesus. He is literally one of a kind!

Jesus is the only one who claimed to be born of a virgin. He is the only one who claimed to be the Son of God and in fact, God Himself. He is the only one who claimed to have lived a perfect life. He is the only one who claimed to have died for the sins of the entire world. He is the only one who has ever come back from the dead. There is absolutely no one like Jesus!

Why, then, do we ever try to satisfy ourselves with anything or anyone other than Him? Why do we seek to fill the holes that sin leaves with anything other than this great Savior? He is unparalleled in His capacity to comfort, heal, and uplift our broken and weary souls. His kindness and mercy never run out, nor does His willingness to forgive when we come to Him in humble repentance. He is so very good.

Yet often, as C.S. Lewis wrote, we have the mentality of ignorant children refusing to trust the wisdom of one greater than ourselves. Why stay in the slums when we have been invited to vacation at the sea? Christ died not only to give us eternal life, but also to give us abundant life now. It is impossible to live this life if we continue to behave like babies who don’t know any better. As believers, we are often frustrated by our desire towards sin. Perhaps that isn’t the problem. Instead, maybe our desire for Jesus is too weak. Maybe we are allowing ourselves to settle for “good” instead of living for “best.”

Are you still piddling in the slums, even though you have been invited to the sea? Are you holding on to sin, allowing yourself to be far too easily satisfied? Are you allowing your circumstances to rob you of abundant life? There is more. Put the mud down and follow Jesus. There is no one like Him!

Dear Lord, I know that the things of this world will never satisfy me the way I hope they will. I want to want you more than I want anything or anyone else. Please strengthen my desire for you and weaken my desire for lesser things. In Jesus' name, amen.