“Every day we tend to fall into living out of our false self, a cheapened version of God’s best for us. We think we know best and when life surprises us we grow bitter. When we don’t get what we want, we flail and indulge in what we know brings only a temporary fix to ease our pain.”- Meredith McDaniel
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”- Romans 8:18-19 (NIV)
As Meredith McDaniel continues the Prologue of In Want + Plenty, she reminds us that looking deeper into our stories is a lifelong journey. Therefore, we never plateau at any level of discovery. We must constantly soul-search and pursue God. Because, in truth, the more we find out about God, the more we realize how little we know.
Furthermore, Meredith asserts, many days we deny that a deeper problem exists beneath the surface. Thus, we tend to suppress the loud longing. And we live in blissful ignorance as we run the daily rat race. As a result, we need to enter a narrative journey to discover God’s provision. Even in the hardest of circumstances.
Hence, Meredith offers these words of hope:
“I long for us all to wake up to the full life God created for us to live. The words of Scripture and a persistent stirring in my soul often remind me that we were made for more than this. We were made for more than this inability to enjoy the moment and the gifts right before us due to our stubborn focus on what is missing.”
Consequently, we fall prey to the paralysis of anxiety and depression. Or we cling to the hope that God meets us in the midst of our grief and longing. The God who not only loves us but aches alongside us.
Today’s question: How do we tend to fall into living out of our false self? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Our earthly longings begin to fade”
