Mud Pies or Sand Castles

I was listening to K-love radio on the way to church and the DJ talked about this quote from C. S. Lewis:

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses

I’ve heard that quote before, and it is certainly thought-provoking, in that we do, too often, ask God for things which are too limited. It’s not just that we are content with worldly things, which I think is more Lewis’ point. We’re content with much less than what God desires for us.

And while I’d certainly prefer a holiday at the sea over mud pies, it struck me that both of those things are temporary. Make a sand castle and go back to that spot a few hours later and it will be gone – either carried away by the tide, or destroyed by someone else.

What God desires for us is not only better than mud pies, it’s better than sand castles.  I don’t necessarily know what that looks like for you – I don’t even know what it looks like for me. But I don’t even want to be satisfied with sand castles if God has something better for me.

There’s a fine line between being content, and being dissatisfied with this life. We need to find the balance between “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11b) and “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). We need to be content with what God has provided for us, all the while knowing that nothing on this earth lasts, no matter how good it is.

Catey and I were discussing this concept and she reminded me that when we start each conference, Bill Welte will have our guests join hands and pray for the person on their left and right. And then, he will ask if we are bold enough, brave enough, courageous enough, to ask God to do something in our own life.

So what are you asking God for today? Are you playing with mud pies when He wants to give you a holiday at the sea? Or are you building sand castles that will wash away with the tide when He wants to add bricks to your mansion in heaven?

Written by Ruth Schmidt:Ruth Schmidt has worked at America’s Keswick since 1985. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Bill Welte.