by Jerry Senn
One of the threatening issues for believers in Christ is the attitude which says, “this is all I will ever experience about God, no strong desires after him. finding pleasure in knowing him will never be known by me. I am not like that. It’s just not like me.”
This is a tragic dilemma because it robs us of the inner power we need of both uplifted souls nor enjoy the pleasure and power to deal with life’s persistent struggles. Without a passion for God’s nearness we’re left with our own feeble attempts to walk in the light.
Thousands of people live year in and year out without much passion for God or zeal for his name or a grasp of the reality of his presence. It’s a fatalistic and deadening approach to daily living.
The apostle Peter’s words are helpful: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good … you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:1-3, 5).
Peter makes clear that God wants us to avoid at all costs the spirit of fatalism which says “To me God is very far away and I just don’t feel close to him right now.”
The word “long” here is simply we’re to “desire” the pure spiritual milk. This requires hunger and thirst. “As a deer pants for the flowing streams so my soul pants for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1).
This attitude cannot be commanded. It is a relationship which demands we simply cast all our cares on him, and he will bring us closer. It’s a matter James makes clear:
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw
near to you …
Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.”
(James 4:6-10)