neon lights

 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is passing away, along with everything that people crave.” 1 John 2:15-16

Love: devotion, adoration, worship

Love: liking, enjoyment, taking pleasure in

My child,

I have blessed you with limitless gifts. From dawn’s dewdrops sprinkled like diamonds across green blades of nascent grass to colossal mountain ranges marching victoriously into a blazing sunset. From the delight of the first smile on a new baby’s lips to the twilight happiness of a life well lived.

I want you to enjoy (take pleasure) in these gifts from me. But I don’t want you to give yourself to the gifts. Out of my love for you, I bless you with relationships, experiences and pleasures. My desire is that those blessings will fan the flame of adoration and worship of me.

This world offers you many opportunities to devote yourself to created things. Don’t be deceived. Fleeting experiences, achievements or possessions cannot satisfy that craving in your belly. Pinning all your hopes on drifting pleasures will leave you brokenhearted. How brittle these people, places, and things are when the weight of all your desire and expectation bears down on them. That pressure causes things to fracture and fade.

Your desires are not too grand. But at times, you may look to satisfy them in the wrong places. You were made to crave the magnificent, endless waterfall of my presence. You can’t find that in the mouth of a dripping faucet.

I love you,

Abba

My Abba,

I appreciate the clarity you brought me this morning on the different ways we use the word “love.” I want to crave and worship only you. But transient treasures capture my eyes, at times, with their glittering promises of fulfillment. They hype a quick road to contentment.

Sometimes I feel like I am walking through a carnival. Brightly painted, flashing facades, cotton candy, spinning rides, smoke and mirrors. Perhaps fun for a moment, but do I really desire to live on a ferris wheel?

In my heart of hearts, I want what will still be illuminated by your love when the neon of this world sputters out. Show me how to invest in what is true and eternally tangible. Fading accomplishments on this temporal timeline will never satisfy my eternal longings. I am a forever creature made for forever purposes.

Point me to the endless views of your kingdom. Give me your eyes to see and your ears to hear today. By your Spirit, please, unveil an enduring radiance in me that invites others to enjoy your glorious, inexplicable light.

I love you,

Mollie

photo: fei wong