Though I don’t remember exactly where, CS Lewis wrote describing how it’s less that human beings want things and more that human beings want to want things. There’s as much fun in planning and getting excited about going on a vacation as there is in actually going. “Getting there is half the fun” as the cliché might say.

When we look foreword to things, it’s often times the build up and the waiting that makes that actual experience that much more enjoyable.

Before I was a believer, I used to think about God. If he were really loving, he would have skipped the whole human-being part and simply made us so that we were with him already. I realize now that this missed a crucial part of what it means to enjoy something.

By allowing his creation to pursue him from a distance now on earth, the anticipation in the hearts of his people simmers. All nuances of joy we only begin to experience in this lifetime blend together and mature.

I believe this is part of God’s design. When we finally meet Christ face-to-face, by his wisdom, we will be prepared to fully enjoy all that he is. And, in our full enjoyment, he will get even more glory.

Psalm 16:11 is one of the most compelling verses in all of scripture, I think.

You make known to me the path of life;
   in your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Whatever this thing is that we’re engaged in with God, it is to be enjoyed. It shouldn’t be burdensome or woeful. We shouldn’t look at the worldly pleasures we’re constantly learning to leave behind with regret over the loss of that satisfaction, but look for the genuine and superior pleasures found in our walk with God today.

I suspect that if I do this, I will experience life much differently.

Matthew Henry writes:

“That is best for us which is best for our souls, though it be unpleasing to sense.”

The verse he had in mind when he wrote that was Ecclesiastes 7:3:

Sorrow is better than laughter,
    for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

I had to scratch my head at that verse for a little while before I grasped what was in mind when it was written. The English language really makes things confusing here. It almost seems like a paradox—a ‘sad’ face makes a ‘glad’ heart?

But the concept he’s touching on here is much bigger than it would seem at first.

Our physical, temporal appreciation for life and our heart-gut level appreciation for it do not necessarily line up all the time. If we allow ourselves to sink into old, sinful habits, we may enjoy the temporal experience. But our soul is wincing in pain.

The argument is being made that often temporal discomfort is much better for the soul than anything otherwise. And what is better for the soul will make us truly ‘glad’.

I think this is a concept Americans have difficulty grasping because in our society of the middle-class, there’s virtually always a way out of any kind of temporal discomfort. I imagine that few of us can really understand what these writers are saying.