Are you familiar with the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? It is arguably the BEST movie EVER created! It’s quite possible that this is merely the opinion of the author; however, do not be deceived, it is a FACT. I have zero knowledge regarding his faith, or lack thereof; BUT, I would stand before God and petition that he be allowed in regardless simply for his honest, loving, humble, sincere portrayal of Willy Wonka and how I believe it may have planted the seed that eventually grew into my own faith in Christ…but enough about that…
So, back to the movie—there’s a character in the movie that goes by the name of Veruca Salt. She’s a bit of an unsavory character, salt that has lost its saltiness? Possibly. She has one of the most annoying and yet profoundly poetic songs in the movie. She SCREAMS the line, “Don’t care how, I WANT IT NOW!” Assertive? Yes. Veruca knew what she wanted and she was willing to beg for it, not so much FIGHT for it. She was a bad egg.
I am a bad egg.
I sometimes have patience for NOTHING and yet a desire to have EVERYTHING. I want it NOW! I want it MY WAY! I want! I want! I WANT! I find myself lost in a watered-down illusion of gratitude. I live a lie. I’m not grateful for what I HAVE, but what I WANT. That’s freakin’ ridiculous!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6 NKJV
I think it just might be possible that my blood-type is ANXIOUS. That’s definitely a NEGATIVE blood-type. I see what someone else is doing and I WANT it. I see the success that someone else is finding and I WANT it. I see how God is blessing someone else and I WANT it. I could just hear God now, “Are you KIDDING ME?!? Look at ALL I’ve given you! Open your eyes before I TAKE IT ALL AWAY!” This is how I know there’s still a work taking place within me. If God didn’t have to lean over and scream in my face every once in a while I’d either be dead or far from Him.
In this verse God gives us a bit of knowledge, something to walk away with…
So, back to the movie—there’s a character in the movie that goes by the name of Veruca Salt. She’s a bit of an unsavory character, salt that has lost its saltiness? Possibly. She has one of the most annoying and yet profoundly poetic songs in the movie. She SCREAMS the line, “Don’t care how, I WANT IT NOW!” Assertive? Yes. Veruca knew what she wanted and she was willing to beg for it, not so much FIGHT for it. She was a bad egg.
I am a bad egg.
I sometimes have patience for NOTHING and yet a desire to have EVERYTHING. I want it NOW! I want it MY WAY! I want! I want! I WANT! I find myself lost in a watered-down illusion of gratitude. I live a lie. I’m not grateful for what I HAVE, but what I WANT. That’s freakin’ ridiculous!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6 NKJV
I think it just might be possible that my blood-type is ANXIOUS. That’s definitely a NEGATIVE blood-type. I see what someone else is doing and I WANT it. I see the success that someone else is finding and I WANT it. I see how God is blessing someone else and I WANT it. I could just hear God now, “Are you KIDDING ME?!? Look at ALL I’ve given you! Open your eyes before I TAKE IT ALL AWAY!” This is how I know there’s still a work taking place within me. If God didn’t have to lean over and scream in my face every once in a while I’d either be dead or far from Him.
In this verse God gives us a bit of knowledge, something to walk away with…
- DON’T be anxious for anything. Relax.
- DO ask God for everything. Pray.
- BE consumed by gratitude. Thanks.
The crazy part is this isn’t even the BEST part of what God wants us to know. This is merely the beginning. This is only half the statement. He’s only illustrating what He WANTS us to do, but then He says why:
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NKJV
Patience leads to peace. My life seems chaotic at times. I’m tugged and pulled and torn in a hundred different directions. I get tired. I get cranky. I offer a fraction of my best. I WANT PEACE! Who doesn’t? Do you want to experience peace? If you just answered no, you’re lying. When you put these two verses together the picture becomes clear. I can SEE what God wants me to SEE.
Chaos is the product of an anxious heart.
Peace is the result of trust and reliance in the Lord.
I don’t know what you want today. I can’t speak for you. I can only tell you that I want peace. I want rest. I want to KNOW Him. I want to live FOR Him. I want to trust IN Him.
What will you choose?
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NKJV
Patience leads to peace. My life seems chaotic at times. I’m tugged and pulled and torn in a hundred different directions. I get tired. I get cranky. I offer a fraction of my best. I WANT PEACE! Who doesn’t? Do you want to experience peace? If you just answered no, you’re lying. When you put these two verses together the picture becomes clear. I can SEE what God wants me to SEE.
Chaos is the product of an anxious heart.
Peace is the result of trust and reliance in the Lord.
I don’t know what you want today. I can’t speak for you. I can only tell you that I want peace. I want rest. I want to KNOW Him. I want to live FOR Him. I want to trust IN Him.
What will you choose?
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