More

Our neighborhood has a resident peacock.  Kevin doesn’t belong to anyone, (the kids named him from the bird in the movie “Up”). He lives in the thin line of woods behind the houses and often appears on rooftops.  We only hear him three to four months out of the year in the late springtime.  It is in his created design to call out for a mate.  When I hear him one block over, it makes me smile.  It reminds me of the God given desire within us – for Him.  To long for more.  More than this world can offer.

I’ve heard the phrase, “Where’s the MORE!” (In a frustrated tone) in regard to the Christian life. We all want more. More joy. More happiness. More love. Even more – stuff.  But do we want PRESENCE? That is the key. God is the key.

Some use King David’s words from Psalm 37 as if to rub a divinely ornate bottle, treating God like a genie: “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” (v4).  “I’m delighting God” (rub, rub) “Where’s my stuff, give me what I desire” (extensive rubbing).  Give me more.  More money.  More possessions.  More. More. More. (Ok, who just thought of the girl in the old Willy Wonka movie “I want it NOW!”).

There is a design for more. Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Our bodies were made of the dust – earth – biological. The soul was not made of the earth. So, earthly things cannot quench the hunger of the soul. It is ONLY the breath of God that feeds and nurtures the spiritual man! It is divinely birthed and divinely maintained. (Brilliant design!) How often do we seek things, people, position and even events to satisfy our deep longing and cravings? Without God’s breath and presence in our lives, (His Word, see 2 Tim 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12) we are an empty vessel. God initiated this for mankind, now we by invitation in turn – seek that breath.  We seek Him! 

HE is the more.

I love how Paul prayed over the Ephesian church, he got right to the heart of it.  He, by God’s grace and mighty power was given the privilege of spreading the Good News and to pray, “I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit, not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength, that Christ will live in you as you open the door and INVITE HIM in. And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know, far MORE than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us” (Ephesians 3:16-20, emphasis mine – paraphrased – The Message).

MORE! Exceedingly abundantly above all. The fullness of God. Enjoy Him. Enjoy the more.

The world is looking for more. Go share – the more.  Him.

More.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

Meet Kevin the peacock