As children we’re taught to “reach for the stars” and to “dream impossible dreams.” Yet, as adults, we often settle for things short of those illustrious ambitions. Perhaps it’s because the reality of our talents (or lack thereof) prompts us to reconsider, or perhaps it’s an unwillingness to do the work that’s required. Regardless of the reason, it isn’t uncommon to find a shift in our priorities as we make compromises and consolations.
In Scripture, we’re warned against settling in another way. As Galatians 4:9 states:
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
It’s a question not just for the Galatians, but one we should consider as well. Why we would settle for the “worthless” and lesser things of this world, when we know God and have His Word? We are so tempted to accept that which is weak, when we have the strength of God. Why do we settle for what is common, or worse, what is base, when we have the wonder and majesty of our King that we can behold? Why do we trade amazing for anything less?
These are questions that have no good answer. The truth is that it’s a foolish choice. Yet it is one that we make time and time again. We let the desires of our flesh overwhelm the better, more lasting thirsts of our spirit. We trade the eternal for the temporal, and we forgo the riches that come from knowing our God and Savior.
May we not abdicate the beauty of being known by our King. May we not”settle” for that which the world offers, but may our pleasure and our confidence be in Him.