What I want most…

It’s a simple scheme: Buy a miniature of what you want god to give you. Offer god the little replica (alongside some lit cigarettes). And then wait to see if he gives you the real thing… Think I’m joking? Absolutely not!

Clearly, I’m not recommending it - but it happens – in Bolivia, to be precise.

At the “festival of miniatures” those desperately seeking love can purchase a mini marriage certificate … those eager to dump their other half can buy a tiny divorce document. Also on sale: mini children, cars, phones, TVs, piles of wood (with which to build a house) and suitcases full of money. Whatever your heart desires can be found on a stall in teeny-tiny form, all ready to take home as a hint for your deity of choice.

From a Christian perspective, it’s not hard to spot the aspects of this tradition that fly in the face of biblical teaching … And, on a personal note, I have some significant reservations about the concept of a god who seems so keen to inhale from cigarettes (though maybe that’s just the slightly militant ex-smoker in me coming out!). But it did get me thinking:

• How often do we pursue our own desires rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God (Matt 6:33)? We may not buy a physical replica of what we want but all too frequently we have the image well-formed in our minds. We follow the world and act as if we need a husband, wife, child or raise for life to be good.
• How often do we become discontent with our life as it is? And forget that God has already showered us with blessings, given us everything we need for life and godliness and knows our deepest and most practical needs far more profoundly than we do? (2 Peter 1:3)
• How often do we drop hints to God about our hopes and dreams rather than speaking directly to him? Talk to our brothers and sisters instead of entering the throne room of heaven? We have a loving heavenly Father who adores to hear us speak and answer our prayers with a wonderful “yes”, “later” or a “let’s just think about where your heart is, shall we?” (1 John 5:14)
• How easy do we find it to spend money in the hope that it will bring us fulfillment? And forget that life in all its fullness lies in Christ? (Jn 10:10)

If I were to buy a miniature, I think I’d opt for a tiny heart, with the imprint of a cross pressed into the centre. Because that’s what I want most – a life that is ever more focused on Jesus and characterized by his love – at least, that’s what I want to want most.

Thankfully, I don’t need to buy a miniature. God’s at work in my life achieving that already (slowly but surely) and has tenderly made himself available for me to talk to him about that any time of the day or night. Same goes for you.