9/3/26

A man was about to die. He lay helplessly in bed as his organs began to shut down, and he looked toward his family and said I don't want to die; there is too much I still want to do. I have always wanted to see both the North and South Pole. I wanted to climb Everest. I wanted to walk the Great Wall, see the pyramids, and attend the Super Bowl. About that time, his preacher came in and said Can I read some scripture to you. The man said yes, and the Pastor, read: James 4:4-5 NASB95: You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

He says I felt like God wanted me to read that to you today. I don't know why, but I wanted to be obedient. The pastor prayed and then left the room and spoke to the family in the other room for a while. He then left. As the family began to file back into the room. They noticed a sense of peace on the man's face and a slight smile from his lips. They said We know you don't want to go.

Suddenly, the man stopped them and said, " No, I am ready. I am looking forward to it. I am excited. I can hardly wait. The family said, " What has changed? The man said I understand now. I have lived an adulterous life. I desired to be active in all that creation had to offer. I loved the Lord, but I treated Him as an enemy. I have been more focused on my pleasure in this world than him and I have never been completely satisfied. I wanted to go to the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and Wimbledon, but I have already seen the World Series, the Olympics, and the weightlifting Championships. They didn't satisfy, I still wanted more. I wanted to walk the Great Wall and see the pyramids, but I have seen Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. I have seen Petra and been to the Colosseum in Rome. Yet I still wanted to see more. I wanted to see Everest, but I have climbed the Grand Canyon and Denali. None of these has satisfied me. Yet I kept ignoring God and acting like His enemy. I was desiring and enjoying His creation and always wanting more, never satisfied and not looking to Him.

The family said we don't understand. You have always enjoyed these things and always wanted to do more. What has changed?

He said I could never be satisfied; I had to do more, but the Scripture speaks with purpose. It says, He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? I get it now. The Spirit He put in me will never be happy with creation. It desires the Creator, and the Creator desires me. Don't you understand? I am one last breath away from Satisfaction. I am one last breath away from ultimate Joy. Actually, I am at Peace now because I already am guaranteed the Love for eternity in life with the Creator and my Lord.

He fasted from it for 33 years so that I could have it. Finally, I am satisfied, and when my Savior says it is time, then I am ready. Until then, I am done living for things that never completely satisfy in creation. I am going to be a witness of real satisfaction with the Creator, even in this bed.

Don't be an enemy of God, living in friendship with creation, when Scripture tells us the Creator is jealous for you! James 4:5 NASB95 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

Be Satisfied in the desire of Jesus. Nothing in this world lasts, but time spent with Jesus brings about lasting satisfaction.

Love Brother Scott