Sunday, April 18, 2010

What I'm Reading Now

Just started reading a little book called Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper. Here are a couple of quotes that lead me to know it will be worth reading:

"We are all starved for the glory of God, not self. No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem. Why do we go? Because there is greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self. Indeed, what could be more ludicrous in a vast and glorious universe like this than a human being, on the speck called earth, standing in front of a mirror trying to find significance in his own self-image? It is a great sadness that this is the gospel of the modern world.
But it is not the Christian gospel. Into the darkness of petty self-preoccupation has shone 'the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God' (2 Corinthians 4:4). The Christian gospel is about 'the glory of Christ,' not about me. And when it is - in some measure - about me, it is not about my being made much of by God, but about God mercifully enabling me to enjoy making much of Him forever."

And this:

"Christ does not exist in order to make much of us. We exist in order to enjoy making much of Him. The assumption of this book is that to know the glories of Christ is an end, not a means. Christ is not glorious so that we get wealthy or healthy. Christ is glorious so that rich or poor, sick or sound, we might be satisfied in Him."

I read that and my heart cried out: This is what I'm looking for! This is how I want to be. Satisfied in Him, enjoying Him, no matter my circumstances, no longer obsessed with trivial things but seeing Him for who He really is.

We've just finished our study through the book of Hebrews, and what a wonderful time it was. Hebrews is a book that makes much of Christ, and our group enjoyed studying His superiority and learning how He is infinitely better than anything this world has to offer. How I want to continue to go deeper and grow stronger in my unshaken assurance of His grace and might. He is worthy.

I think this is going to be a good book. May God use it to turn my eyes to Him and to understand His word and apply it more and more each day.

2 comments:

Pam said...

Sounds like a really good book. I'm glad you're enjoying it! : )

Lisa Spence said...

I have that book and really need to re-read it! Good stuff!