The first stage is Euphoria, where both parties "feel good" about being together, doing things together and often cover up any mistakes or short comings, believing the other to be perfect (Please note that I don't think Christ goes through these same stages of relationships, which is good for us especially for this next part). So, after the good feelings die down and you really start to get to know the person, things can change. You start to notice their flaws and recognize that when the euphoria is gone, they might not be the person you thought. And this often leads to divorce and adultery in our culture. People get "bored" after the excitement dies down and then go looking elsewhere to try and find the euphoria again.
We need to realize that love isn't all about feelings. Love is about a journey with another person and love is about putting that person before yourself. Christ did it for us, even when it didn't feel good, and we need to do the same for Him. Christ promises that "pay day" is coming (Galatians 6:9) but He doesn't promise that once we're saved it'd be all sunshine and rose. Unless of course you pledge to give 400 dollars a month to my blogging efforts! Just kidding. That's Prosperity Gospel. Not truth.
So, where are you in your relationship with God? What did you do when the feelings left? Have you struggled with looking elsewhere for euphoria and leaving God behind? I'd love to hear about it, Let's do life together!
ohh goodness, yes. I know what that's like, looking for the euphoria else where. Its like drinking salt water!
ReplyDeleteHere is a little excerpt from Francis Chan's "Forgotten God":
"Is it possible to get enough or even too much God? Is there a point when a person can be satisfied with the amount of intimacy, knowledge, and power of God he or she experiences? I don't see how there can be, because doesn't every encounter with God only cause us to thirst for Him more?
Let me be clear. This is not a call to misinformed extremism, but an acknowledgement that as believers we can never be "done" with God. He is infinite and we are finite; there will always be more of His character to discover, more of His love to experience, and more of His power to use for his purposes."
I think he makes a very good point here, can we ever really move past the euphoria stage with God? If each encounter makes us thirst for more, how can we ever be bored with Him?
I agree that its not all about feelings, but its all very emotional.
I see your point. I think that we shouldn't get bored, and I think there will be periods of euphoria throughout our relationship with God, just as there can be in marriage relationships. But I don't think they will be all the time and I don't think we should expect them to be. Paul talked about the thorn in his side several times, asking God to take it from him, but instead he had to live with it.
ReplyDeleteSo, I think we all move past the intense euphoria of when we first receive God's grace, but I think we should be seeking God regardless and praising Him when He blesses us with good feelings. However, they should not be the object of our love.
The Chan quote says that there is always more of God to discover, but not all of it is going to instantly produce "the shivers." Discovering more of God could come in a lot of different ways, but I think I'll end the comment here and save it for tomorrow's post.
Thanks for the comment.