“What’s the point in trying to be who you aren’t? If you succeed, you is who you ain’t, and you ain’t who you is. You’re actually less like the person God designed you and destined you to be. That isn’t succeeding; it’s failing.”- Mark Batterson
In Chapter 6 (“The Voice of Gladness”) of Whisper, Mark Batterson examines the second love language – desires. First, Pastor Batterson observes that we tend to think of desires in a negative light. However, C. S. Lewis expressed the opposite opinion in The Weight of Glory. Mr. Lewis wrote:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.”
Of course, our sinful desires must be crucified. However, Mark notes, God wants to resurrect, sanctify, intensify, and leverage our desires for His purposes. God wants us to delight in what He does.
In the book of Genesis, God steps back from the canvas of His creation seven times. He admires His handiwork and declares it good. In fact, Mark adds, it’s the first recorded emotion God expresses. Also, Pastor Batterson points out, the word good comes from the Hebrew word tob, meaning “joy unspeakable” or “pure delight.” The author explains:
“That first emotion sets the tone, sets the bar. God delights in what He does, and He wants nothing less for us. He wants us to delight in His creation. He wants us to delight in one another. And above all, He wants us to delight ourselves in Him.”
So, Mark asks, how much do you enjoy God? His Word? His presence? Sooner or later, even spiritual disciplines turn into desires if you delight yourself in the Lord. Most noteworthy, how much you enjoy God, Mark asserts, indicates your level of spiritual maturity.
Reading God’s Word shouldn’t be a chore. Yes, loving God with all our strength requires labor. But, Pastor Batterson exhorts, it should be a labor of love.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you discover the person God designed and destined you to be? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The voice of our own gladness”
