when we want it too much

Lewis tells us about misdirected desire today in A Year with C.S. Lewis.

He says that when we say "Let's talk!" we can't think of anything to say. And when we think, "I HAVE to get some SLEEP!" that's a good prescription for insomnia.

And haven't you experienced this in your life? When even YOU realize that you want the thing (whatever it is) too much? That it's being withheld from you precisely BECAUSE you want it so badly?

It is something most of us have experienced. But for most of us, it leaves us mystified. Why is THE THING that we want more than anything kept from us?

But there is the answer, staring at us right out of the middle of the question, right? The "thing we want more than anything." We have made "that thing" too important in our lives. I'm not going to use the word "idol", because I think that word gets overused and abused... and most people wouldn't say they're worshiping the thing they want or making it their god.

But.

They ARE, by their own admission, wanting it more than they want God. Or balance, peace, or health in their lives as well, for that matter. They have gotten everything upside down. They have made THAT THING more important than anything else. And until they learn to put it back in its proper place, doesn't it make sense to keep it out of their hands? Otherwise their souls look like this:

That's the scene where Bilbo, for a split second, WANTS the ring too much. Then he gets control of himself, and becomes his good, affable self again.

When we're balanced, healthy, and loving God first and others next, all good things are added to us. But when we put one of those "THINGS" above all else... well, it gets ugly fast.

Thank You, God, for helping us keep things in perspective.