Cravings - 1 John 2:16-17

There's a website called GoTandem which sends you bible verses they think are relevant based on a series of questions you answer. Today, one of the emails I received really "hit the spot". It focused on 1 John 2:16-17. Since it's short I  can just write it out:

1 John 2: 16-17

"For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements in our possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."

I found this passage extremely helpful as I deal with balancing my understanding of myself. I have this strong desire for the nicer things in life. I wanted a Fall coat that cost $600. COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. To want monetary wealth and objects is not a bad thing. The problem is when you spend more time acquiring these goods than strengthening your relationship with Christ and working on his purpose for you. These verses remind me that in the end these things will go away.

Physical pleasure is a huge struggle too. Don't be overwhelmed by what society is doing and focus on yourself. Everyone has a different standard they like to live up to. I want to save myself for marriage. Do I struggle with it? Of course! I may even fail, but at least I tried. To me, premarital sex is a great earthly example of temporary satisfaction versus a more permanent one. Having sex with people you are not committed to only lasts for so long and the repercussions can be severe. This world is "fading away" and so we should focus on what does not fade, Christ.

Another biggie is our pride. Humans, I find, are innately born with pride. In Heaven, your position as CEO or 3rd in line for the Spanish crown won't matter. People get so infatuated with the idea of being powerful and rich but that isn't true freedom. That ties us down and makes us slaves to our desires. Rationally, as long as you're fed, clothed, and sheltered, it shouldn't matter because the human body only requires/necessitates so much. Everything else is in our minds and heart. What matters is where you spend the rest of forever. Will it be with God in heaven or somewhere significantly less amazing?

The way this Earth is built, it focuses on the most unimportant things. It is our struggle as Christians to balance the desires we have with what God wants from us. If you're meant to be a doctor and save lives, so be it. You can even live in a mansion, just don't forget to be humble and accepting of all people. Don't be an elitist or think of yourself as higher than because you have been blessed by God to lead the life you have. You don't know his reasons for giving each person the life they lead so don't comment on it. I've mentioned my problem areas and these are the tribulations God chose for me. He has faith that I can succeed. Maybe one day I can be a humble millionaire. Or maybe I'll be a middle class woman. Or I might end up poor but that's life not eternity.