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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
The human heart can wish for anything! The restriction on wishes is only as limited as our imaginations. While wishing itself may be okay, sometime the things for which we wish are not.
“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.’” (Matthew 20.20-23; emphasis mine, jb).
For the moment, forget the object of their mother’s wishes; for the purpose of this article it makes no difference. Rather, focus on the immediate response of Jesus. Focus on the words, “You do not know what you ask.” Wishes are free, but the consequences of granted wishes can be unimaginable! While the desire to have something costs us nothing, the obtaining of the thing itself can cost us everything!
The Psalmist wrote concerning certain people; he said, “Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.” (Psalm 72.7-9). Regardless of how much they get, they want more! Their tongue walks through the earth! There is nothing sacred in their sight; nothing is off limits. Those whose appetites cannot be satiated heap more upon more as if what they have is nothing. The news in the USA recently focused on a man who confessedly stole billions upon billions of dollars. The question that comes to mind is why. Why would a man need a billion dollars? If he had a billion, would that be enough? Or, would he want another billion to go with it, and then another, and another, and on and on infinitum? The psalmist answered my question; “They have more than heart could wish.”
An old and true adage says, “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.” Wishes are cheap, but the consequences can be costly. What would a beggar feed the horses which his imagination conjured up? Would it be imaginary hay or oats? We frequently wish, but seldom think beyond the satisfaction of the flesh involved in the wish. Somewhat like the dog that continued over and over to chase cars. In spite of his master’s scolding, the pooch just would not stop. Until finally one day, Fido caught a car and didn’t know what to do with it! Our wishes are frequently akin to this. If we had the thing upon which our heart is set, would we be happy? Would we know what to do with it? Or, would it be the death of us as it was to Fido when he finally caught the dream he chased for so long?
Jesus said, “You do not know what you ask.” All too often that is true of us. Our ability to think seems to all too often stop short of the consequences of our desires. For believers, Paul’s inspired advice to the saints in Colossae is sound advice for all times; “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3.2-3). When my life is hidden “with Christ in God” my desires will be for things that are within His will and the consequences will all be positive. Think before you wish for a horse; after all you may have to feed him.
Questions:
1. How much does a wish cost? How much can the consequences of obtaining a wish cost?
2. How much does it take to satisfy the person with a materialistic heart?
3. How can our lives be guarded from unwholesome wishes and desires?
4. Before making a wish, what ought we to consider? Do you always do that? Why or why not? Would you be better off if you did?
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