Post By: Jed Chun
There’s a famous quote by John Piper that I’ve been reflecting on recently:
“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?”
It’s a daunting question to think about and any answer is likely to carry some heavy implications. In a way, I feel like this quote doesn’t carry a strong sense of urgency, immediacy, or imminence, because it implies that I will have time (in theory) to reflect on the current state of my heart and subsequently develop a course of action/attitude that more accurately reflects my understanding that, even if all of my good earthly desires were fulfilled, it is still only a shadowy reflection of true goodness when devoid of God’s presence.
But what happens when that question gets right up in your face? What if God, at this moment, allowed you to have that thing (or all the things) that you’ve been waiting so long for? Would you take it, even if Christ and your relationship with Him had to take a back seat?
If you somehow acquired the resources to be able to afford your dream car/house/boat/RV, but you wouldn’t have money to tithe, support missions, or spend on others, would you still buy it?
If someone offers you that job that you’ve been wanting, with amazing pay, great benefits, the best career setup, and references you could imagine, at the expense of not having time to disciple your family, would you take it? If you could no longer serve at church? If you no longer could attend church and fellowship meetings altogether?
If an “ideal” dating partner/potential spouse comes into your life - one who has all the personality, character, looks, and other qualities that you’ve ever desired - but God isn’t a priority in their life would you still pursue that person/relationship? If they were ambivalent toward God? What if they were hostile to God?
Or what about when that new church building/remodeling project suddenly becomes possible, but only at the cost of cutting a few regulatory corners? If the funding becomes dependent on petitioning people outside the church for donations or asking for sponsorships, instead of prayerfully seeking God’s provision?
When that good-but-not-God thing makes its appearance in your life and that object of desire is so very tangible, so within your grasp, what will you do?
Sadly, I don’t have any epiphanies this time around. I don’t normally write about something until I’ve processed it completely but, this time I’m feeling stuck. I don’t think that this was something that I’d ever have to write about. I expected sacrifice, but when the choice is between God’s way or your own for something that is so seemingly good – the decision becomes more difficult to make than I would have expected. Intrinsically, I know which decision I ought to make, but when that desire is less than an arm’s length away it is difficult to see as clearly. I know that God has promised something far better and that His way is better, even if it seems impractical or not quite logical. I know that I ought to treasure him above all things and that my heart leans toward him. Yet, the decision remains difficult. Perhaps these are the times that prepare us to answer Piper’s question. What we choose between good and better, will reveal to us what our hearts value more. My mind is convinced that the things that greater joy comes from treasuring Christ first and foremost, is so much greater than the joy that comes from the things sacrificed. But, for now, my heart still longs for the immediate gratification of having it my way.
So, as I contemplate these things, I will meditate on the words of Christ, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26a ESV) with the hope that my heart will recognize what my mind already knows.
Jed Chun is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and is actively involved at a Chinese American church in the San Gabriel Valley. He is passionate about bringing the concepts of healthy family development and relationships into the context of Asian immigrant and Asian American communities. He hopes that through his words, his experiences in his faith, and his journey with God can be an encouragement to others to love God and love one another.