(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see why)
Focus Question:
How should I want something?
Intro:
It was spring
But it was summer I wanted,
The warm days,
And the great outdoors.It was summer,
But it was fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves,
And the cool, dry air.It was fall,
But it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow,
And the joy of the holiday season.It was winter,
But it was spring I wanted,
The warmth
And the blossoming of nature.I was a child,
But it was adulthood I wanted.
The freedom,
And the respect.I was 20,
But it was 30 I wanted,
To be mature,
And sophisticated.I was middle-aged,
But it was 20 I wanted,
The youth,
And the free spirit.I was retired,
But it was middle age I wanted,
The presence of mind,
Without limitations.My life was over.
But I never got what I wanted. ~ Charles Swindoll, Simple Faith
Now let’s turn that around…let’s just say you’re wiser than the person in the poem. Have you ever wanted something for someone more than they want it for themselves? I’d bet most of you have, and if you’re a parent or a spouse, I’d bet it’s almost certainly true.
Well, today’s focus question might be a little different — how should I want something?
NEW TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
Passage: Philippians 4:2-23
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 22
Words: ~454
OLD TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
So a quick summary of how the book of Nehemiah kicked off yesterday — Nehemiah gets word about the state of disrepair and discord of Jerusalem, and he sets his heart to prayer and fasting. And as happens when we live for Jesus in a world that doesn’t know him, his boss, King Artaxerxes, notices Nehemiah’s bummed out and asks about it. Despite Nehemiah’s fear about answering, he courageously asks, and receives, permission and provision to go do something about it. Which of course means that everything goes perfectly, right?
Passage: Nehemiah 4-6
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 61
Words: ~1479
Wisdom SEGMENT:
Passage: Proverbs 11:28-31
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 4
Words: ~64
The bottom line:
So how should we want something?(1) Paul exhorts the Philippians, and by extension us, to set our hearts on what’s true, good, and beautiful. Desire in and of itself isn’t wrong.
Interestingly the chapter closes out with Paul thanking the Philippians for the kind financial support. Ministers do need support, of course. But then he says “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.” He wants something for them more than he wants it for himself. How does he do that?
First, he’s content where he’s at. He’s had times of both plenty and want, but remember, he’s writing this letter from jail! And in those days, jail didn’t come with anything…if you didn’t have friends to supply your needs, you froze or starved. So, number two, he’s content because of the people who provide for his ministry that continues even though he’s in jail. No friends, no paper and ink, for instance. Finally, he’s content because of the power of God in him and the promise of God that sustains him.
So how do we want something legitimately? The answer isn’t, like Buddhists attempt to do, to have no desire. We’re made in the image of God, and God has desire, so we do, too. The question is where we set our sights. And I don’t know about you, but this isn’t just about intentionality, it’s about practice. And our freedom from the disordered love of sin is, sometimes over and over, coming back to the promise of the Cross. You can’t do it, but Jesus can do it in you and through you.
As your podcast host, thanks for being on the journey. I want this for you, and hopefully not more than you want it for yourself.
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Everything here from David Jeremiah, Turning toward Joy (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2013).