The Delight of Experiencing Him
“Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as NOTHING compared to the DELIGHT of EXPERIENCING Jesus Christ as my Lord.” - Philippians 3:7
One of the significant challenges we face as humans is letting go of our pride. We often take pride in reminding ourselves and others of our achievements, believing it gives us identity and respect. We cherish the connections and relationships that elevate our status and influence.
However, associating our names with Christ can challenge all of that, as following Him may portray us as weak, and in need of a greater power to add value to our existence.
Paul asserts that NOTHING can be compared to the DELIGHT of EXPERIENCING, getting to know, and living a life where He is the goal. Trying to grasp this concept within my limited mind can be quite challenging.
But all those things, we know, will pass.
I reflect on how many times I celebrate certain things, only to find that in the next minute, they no longer seem sufficient, and I desire more. Contrasting that with the joy and fulfillment I experience when I spend even a minute with my Father, I begin to understand a little of what this delight, as mentioned by Paul, means.
As C.S. Lewis once said: "If I find in myself a desire that no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
Being found in Him satisfies our present and future, eliminating the anxiety of continually achieving things to feel worthy of love and respect. It makes the accomplishments of the past, which never seem sufficient, feel insignificant.
When our hearts are not only consumed by knowing this truth but also when we experience it, we approach His presence with a different heart. He is no longer a "genie" ready to grant our wishes; instead, He becomes the source that satisfies a thirsty soul made to abide in Him.
It's a soul made for eternity.
For you:
I want to encourage you to sit down with God and be thankful only for who He is. No asking or talking about yourself. List everything you are grateful for about Him, not the things He has given, but for His character and presence in your life. There's always something unique about being reminded of who He is; it brings life to our souls.
