What MORE Do We Need? Part I
Posted on January 17, 2019
Written by Jennifer Morrow
We live in a culture consumed with always wanting MORE. Everyone seems convinced that more is better and most of us are always desiring more of something. For example, here are some commonly held desires for more:
I need…
…more money
…more vacation time
…more recognition
…more pleasure
…more popularity
…more stuff
…more happiness
…more freedom
In our quest for more of the above, we often end up…
…more in debt
…more stressed
…more prideful
…more depressed
…more self absorbed
…more materialistic
…more discontent
…more addicted
If we are honest, most of us have been caught up wanting more of some or all of the above and having experienced more than a few of the not so desirable results thereof.
Just like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” skipping merrily off to follow the yellow brick road on a journey for something more or better, she finally awakened from this fantasy dream to the reality of truth – all she really needed was still back at home in Kansas.
For most of us, all we really need is right within our reach. We just need to reach out to the Only One who is always with us and is able to give more to us than anyone will ever give. In fact, He already has given His more than enough to us in Christ.
One of my own personal stories of desiring MORE:
I have been married for 35 years, but early on in our marriage, especially about the first 10 years, I struggled with the desire to have more clothes or shoes than our family budget covered. Even though I was a Christian and walking with the Lord, I was still in the early stages of being transformed from the inside out. At this point in my journey, I was oblivious that my quest for more shoes and clothes was connected to gratifying the deeper needs of my heart and soul. Yes, I was a faithful church goer, serving, studying the Word, praying, and all those good things we followers of Christ do; but, I was in need of a LOT MORE of Jesus than a shopping spree at the mall would ever quench.
As is common to many, my childhood experiences had planted some deep roots of fear and insecurity. These roots of insecurity led to a fairly consistent focus on beautifully adorning my exterior appearance, while my unseen soul needed not only restorative surgery, but a true supernatural makeover. Don’t misunderstand, being fashionably adorned does not necessarily indicate someone is covering heart and soul issues, and, to this day, I still love dressing well (and well within my budget). However, my unhealed childhood fears made it difficult for me to really trust that God would provide if I waited on Him – yes, insecurity, fear, and a lack of trusting God were all still there.
I did not realize that these and a few other deeply rooted heart and soul issues were driving my overspending habits. Finally, as I kept on seeking MORE of God through His Word and in worship and prayer, the gentleness of the Holy Spirit shined His light on the hidden root causes of my out of control behavior. God’s Spirit present within us is our Helper and His Spirit gives us self control. With God’s help, I went through a season of exercising the fruit of self control and saying “no” to myself frequently while out shopping. Since that time, after waiting more in my Father’s presence, I have continued to see my Father God provide more than enough, not only in my closet, but also more of what I really needed most – the healing of my wounded soul and spirit.
God fills and heals and and ultimately fulfills all our needs and desires that are submitted to Him. All He requires is that we ask Him, wait on Him, and trust Him to be our more than enough in every situation.
SURRENDERING MORE of our hearts and desires and needs to Christ is the pathway to being MORE FULFILLED in Christ.
Lord, we need You MORE, If we are to be filled with more of Your love, Your joy and Your peace!
More Jesus = More Love!
More Word = More Joy!
More Worship = More Peace!
THIS IS THE MORE WE ALL NEED!
Psalm 4:7-8 The Message
Why is everyone hungry for more? “More, more,” they say. “More, more.”I have God’s more-than-enough,
More joy in one ordinary day
Than they get in all their shopping sprees.
At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep,
For you, God, have put my life back together.
Psalm 37:4 – My paraphrase:
Take delight in the Lord above all other things, and the good desires He has for you will eventually consume your mind and heart.
By God’s amazing grace, I am a covenant daughter, a wife, a mother of 2 adult children and a son-in-love. I love God’s Word and I love studying it, teaching it, and listening to others teach and preach. I also love to laugh, dance, pray and worship – so I am sort of a rare bird.
My problems and my pain have always pressed me to pray, pen and pursue God’s presence in worship, not necessarily in that order. After the murder of my beloved brother, God turned my mourning into dancing for Him, which led to a ministry through dance over the past 20 plus years, including being the founder of Destiny Dance and Restoration Arts Dance. Since 2012, I have had the privilege of teaching dance at a Christ centered non-profit dance studio.
Writing, like prayer, worship and dancing, is a release of what is deep within my spirit. I also love fashion, festive parties, family gatherings, concerts and plays, reading several books at one time, cheering on the Crimson Tide, and traveling.
I am a member of Church of the Highlands, where, since 2004, I have been blessed to serve in the areas of prayer, outreach, leading small groups, coaching, and Women’s and Freedom ministry teams. I began practicing writing in 2009 on a Restoration Arts blog and in 2015, I started another blog at http://www.ponderit.org. I am experiencing a true restoration of joy despite all of the ups and downs of life.
I now even call myself “Joyful Jenny,” and I choose to laugh a LOT and uncontrollably at times! My heart’s motivation is to share what has helped me to live in love, joy, and freedom no matter what life throws our way. Having encountered the brokenness and pain as a result of my own childhood, family alcoholism and mental illness, tragic loss and grief, and a prodigal son’s journey, I empathize with other hurting hearts.
My prayer is that you will experience more of God’s love and joy and the intimate fellowship of His Holy Spirit. In His presence is fullness of JOY! Psalm 16:11
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