We live in a time that is preoccupied with ‘what’s in it for me?’ I confess I find myself there as well, like ordering a meal at a restaurant, what does it include? In other words am I getting what I think I should get to be content with the meal? You might say ‘nothing wrong with that, that’s wise.’ But that mindset or way of thinking works its way into and affects our everyday living. I would dare say a lot of people look at church the same way, ‘what’s in it for me?’ It is not worth time or effort unless I benefit from it in some way. The problem with this thinking is that it places my own ego in control of my life; I begin to measure everything in life by whether or not it benefits me. I think this is the challenge we face in our relationship with God. Do we see our relationship with God in terms of what our benefits are? Or do we seek the one who gives such marvelous gifts, promises, and provision? Do we want to know our God as Father because of who He is, or primarily for what He gives? Think about the words of the song More than Anything by Natalie Grant:
I know if you wanted to you could wave your hand
Spare me this heartache and change your plan
And I know when he said that you could take my pain away
Help me want the healer more than the healing
Help me want the savior more than the saving
Help me want the giver more than the giving
You know more than anyone that my flesh is weak
And you know I’d give anything for a remedy
And I’ll ask a thousand more times to set me free today
Help me want the healer more than the healing
Help me want the savior more than the saving
Help me want the giver more than the giving
Oh help me want you Jesus more than anything