The Role of God in a Christian's Life: Balancing Enjoyment and Spiritual Fulfillment

Allow me to answer a question with some questions: What is life without God? Finding temporary satisfaction and fulfillment in a lover or in a series of lovers until the infatuation and the passion of lust runs cold, or in a marriage to an imperfect person who will inevitably fall short of one's ideal and test one's forbearance and who will require of oneself as much as they give the same? And when you discover, as all people do, that your spouse does not in fact ldquo;completerdquo; you, or that your ldquo;loversrdquo; do not truly love you or satisfy your need for comfort, security, validation of worth, life purpose, or happiness, then what will you have left and where will you turn? To drinking or drugs or food, to a paramour in an adulterous relationship, or to pornography, or to an endless procession of sexual partners?

The fullest enjoyment of the things that God gives us to enjoy comes with having Him first and allowing Him to guide us in the appropriate enjoyment and use of His gifts. How to love perfectly, how to use money wisely, how to enjoy possessions, how to exercise self-control, how to be content, how to live life in this world with eternal perspective. Without this divine guidance, the gifts of God become deceptive substitutes for God, and the unmet need for God is filled by things that cannot meet that need and which were never intended for that purpose, with regrettable and ruinous results.

God's Guidance in Everyday Life

When God is at the center of your life, the gifts He provides, such as relationships, possessions, and moments of joy, can bring true fulfillment. This does not mean you should forego these aspects of life. Instead, it means you approach them through a lens of faith and with God's guidance, ensuring that these blessings do not lead you away from the path He has set for you.

For instance, in love and relationships, God teaches us the importance of true love that is sacrificial, unselfish, and enduring. He shows us how to navigate the challenges that come with imperfect marriages and relationships, helping us to find strength and patience in difficult times. When we prioritize God's will over our own desires, we can enjoy these relationships and their blessings without allowing them to become idols in our lives.

Similarly, money and possessions, which are often seen as sources of happiness and security, can also bring immense joy when we use them in ways that honor God. This includes being generous towards others, supporting ministries, and using our resources to make a positive impact on those around us. However, when we become enslaved by these things and let them control our lives, we risk losing both our spiritual and temporal treasures.

Deception and the True Source of Fulfillment

When we seek temporary or superficial satisfaction without God, we often find that these things cannot meet the deep and abiding desires of our hearts. Alcohol, drugs, infidelity, and other forms of self-destructive behavior may provide temporary relief but ultimately lead to greater pain and regret. The unmet need for God is filled by things that cannot fulfill it, leading to ruinous results.

The supreme example of this is found in the life of someone who rejects God. Without God, there is no ultimate consolation for the sorrows of life, and this can lead to despair and disillusionment. Conversely, those who trust and obey God find a source of peace and joy that transcends the challenges of daily life.

The Price of Exalting God

Exalting God in one's life above the immediate gratification of sinful pleasures and vain diversions often has a high price. However, it is important to recognize that giving ourselves to these things also has a price, and the ultimate consolation for those who reject God is not available to them.

While the path of faith may require sacrifice and sometimes even the rejection of certain temptations, the joy and fulfillment gained from a life centered on God are invaluable and eternal. Trusting and obeying God allows us to enjoy the fullness of life without being enslaved or ruined by our desires.

In conclusion, God is not an impediment to living one's life to the full but rather the key to it in its purest and highest form. He liberates us from deceptive substitutes and protects us from the sorrows of disillusionment and despair. By making and keeping God as the chief treasure and highest aspiration in our lives, we can truly enjoy all that is worth enjoying without being enslaved or ruined by them or loved ones with them.