I have been reading not a fan by Kyle Idleman, one the pastors of megachurch Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Not only am I reading it for myself, but I plan to offer it as a sermon series/small group starting late September. I read the following story from it:
An elderly missionary was returning from the foreign field to the US to live out the days he had left with his married daughter in the Midwest. Upon arriving on the California coast he boarded a bus to begin his trip across the country. The first night the bus stopped in Las Vegas. He had been out of the States for more than thirty years. He had never been to Vegas. He checked into a hotel room and took a walk down the strip. Although it was close to midnight, it looked like midday, because of all the lights. As he walked down the strip he heard the loud music, saw the amazing hotels, and even went to a car show where he saw the world’s finest automobiles. He saw the games being played in the casinos and heard the money coming out of the slot machines. He saw the marquees announcing amazing entertainers. He saw the drink specials announced and the amazing food advertised in the restaurants. Eventually he went back to his room in the highrise hotel where he was staying. He entered the room but didn’t turn on the light. He walked across the room and opened the curtains. In the quietness of his room he got on his knees in front of the window, looked down at the Vegas strip, then into the more impressive lights of the heavens, and prayed this prayer, “God, I thank you that tonight I haven’t seen anything I want more than I want you.”
Simply put: God was enough. God is enough. I know that is simplistic and someone is bound to lambaste me for being so naive. That’s alright. Guilty as charged. There is an old song: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold/ I’d rather have Him than have riches untold/I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame/I’d rather be true to His holy Name.” There is more to that song, of course, but it is too lengthy to put here. One of the truths I am remembering all over again is how great His love is for me. I love Him because he first loved me. [I John 4:19]
What about you? Is God enough? What is one thing you are learning that is new or that you are remembering in a whole new light?
That line, “God, I thank you that tonight I haven’t seen anything I want more than I want you.”, is so beautiful. I wish I could utter those words and mean it. Dang.
That line hit me also Daniel. I want to utter them and mean it also.
Hi Bill,
“I’d rather be true to His holy Name”
I think that this quote is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves and also for our God.
Our silver and gold is going to fail us. Our position and power is going to fail us. A good example we have is the Egyptian nation in the time of Moses and the Exodus of God’s people from slavery.
Pharoah was a great power. The Israelites’ release from slave labor in Egypt was an impossibility. God however, was certainly more than enough to get the job done.
I hear 2/3 of the USA is in drought this year. If this continues for a couple of more years in he USA, agriculture could be devastated. Our prarie provinces in certain locations in Canada are in drought and heat also.
Many years after the martredom of the Christians under Roman rule is still known about and talked about in our day. Those believers glorified God in our eyes. How did they have the courgage to stand for their beliefs and convictions about God? God was more than enough. He will be more than enough for those of us who value what we have in Christ.
Realizing He is far more than silver and gold changes us and impacts our world.
More than anything, I’m learning to be satisfied in Him.
That is a great place to be.
Spiritual tunnel vision.
that is a great thing to have. Not to be swayed by the flashy objects of the world. I know I get distracted – don’t want to be. having flashy things is easy to justify. I guess you know if God is enough when you lose something (house, iphone, car, $$) and all you can think about is having your Bible and trusting in God.
Great way to put it Craig: spiritual tunnel vision. When that happens the flashy loses its flash.
Okay, Bill. We sang that song at my church yesterday. And, this was the takeaway from the message…”Walk with God wholeheartedly by stubbornly embracing that He is enough.”
Hmmm you might think we collaborated.
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2
I read this verse in my sermon yesterday and then made a statement about myself…that I couldn’t recall a time that I so hungered for His presence that I fainted or even felt a little light headed. Your post resonates where my heart is heading my brother and I thank you for confirming the direction.
I feel myself moving in that same direction my friend. Too bad we aren’t closer to help each other in that. Glad God used me to confirm the direction.
I think that knowing Abba is enough is the secret of the saints of God down through the centuries. There have been times when I’ve been so focused on what I didn’t have and wanted, or had but wanted more that I might not have recognized Jesus if He showed up standing in front of me.
I wish I could say I have conquered that mindset, but Jesus is still working on that area in my life. Every time I start to get fussed about things, He reminds me, “You have Me. Peace, be still.”
You have stated something that I have often wondered about Susan: what made them different than me? How come their hunger and thirst seemed to be never ending? They were focused on Him. Love your last paragraph.
He is enough for me!
If you look around there is nothing to compare to Him, so why would I want more?
Walk daily with God at your side!
Ed
Well said Ed. Nothing compares.
What a great reminder… I think many of us get distracted by the lights and our senses in this world. God made them and He owns them… He is indeed enough…
Distraction is a good word to use.
You said, “one of the truths I am remembering all over again is how great His love is for me.” Yep!:) Just got that rained down on me today. I love it….God is all we need, so true! His love is so great, I am just humbled & awestruck at how He worked for me today….will e-mail you!
Awesome email jan. I can see God using you in a way you never dreamed.
His prayer at the end was very moving and thought provoking. I guess if there is anything we need more than God, something is missing.
So true Mike. Thanks for coming by. I am thinking it is your first time. Checked out your blog and put it in my google reader.
Amen!
He is more than enough for me.
Sadly I forget that at times.
Thankfully God is merciful and loving beyond my comprehension.
I forget also TC. Way too easily.
What a cool story! The only thing that brings satisfaction and meaning is God. God is enough. At times though I think we forget that(I know I do).