I found these words from Piper to be convicting in that they reveal my all-too-idolatrous heart—my tendency to enjoy the gifts of God more than God the Giver:
The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?
I know the right answer to this question, and at times I do feel it strongly. Yet at other times, the longing of my heart for Christ alone is far too weak. Piper goes on to express these words that express beautifully the cry of my heart, and I trust, the cry of yours as well:
May the church of Jesus Christ say with increasing intensity, “The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup” (Ps. 16:5). “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:1). “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil. 1:23). (Read more.)
May God grant us that kind of supreme love for God. And praise be to God that He accepts our feeble attempts to love Him supremely because He accepts us in His Son who did love Him supremely (1 Pet 2:5)!
