But Not Very Much

A little boy was looking forward with great anticipation to the annual birthday gift from his favorite aunt. She always had a way of picking out a toy which brought him a great deal of pleasure. Apparently, she had decided her nephew was old enough to start receiving clothing instead of toys, because she sent him a sweater. The little boy sat down and dutifully wrote his “thank you” note: “Dear Aunt Jane: Thank you for the sweater. It is what I’ve always wanted–but not very much. Love, Johnny.”

In that refreshingly honest response to a birthday gift we find the problem with most people’s response to God–including our own. We want God. We really do! That, among other things, is what brought us here today. We want God–but not very much. There are many things in our lives that are far more exciting. We get more excited over a big football game, or a World Series game, or an imminent pay raise, or…