Matt Chandler has spoken of how things that are new are often accompanied by an intoxicating high.  Whether it be a new smartphone, new car, new job, and even a new blog as I am writing today, there seems to be this “buzz” that we experience with the acquisition of new things. I felt it when I registered my new domain, “Grace Breaks”.  How elated I was that this domain was available to me and how jazzed I was when I envisioned future posts that I would write under this new moniker. New found inspiration was brimming over.  On the other side, however, how depressed I often become when new things become old things. How disenfranchised I am when my 3-0 fantasy football team drops to 3-1.  How disillusioned I am when the job I work each day no longer generates the gratitude that being newly employed once brought. Instead, the same job that I was thankful for now stimulates disappointment and distress. (especially on Monday).  Instead of overflowing with gratitude, my spirit ignites complaint-fueled blame.

Interestingly, it is God who designed our souls for the excitement of new things. Imagine the racing heart of the first Adam as he was introduced to the first Eve. Contemplate the wonder and excitement they felt as they discovered a new species of plant or bestowed a new name for a newly discovered animal. God gave them a garden that would have taken centuries to fully explore and cultivate. Then imagine the adrenaline that shot through Eve’s body as she held a forbidden fruit with its sweet aroma and ripe disposition. Then imagine the dissatisfaction a few seconds into the first bite of what must have been the best tasting food God ever created! Their creator-designed intoxication led to a hangover of guilt and shame.

When our desires lead to disappointment, it’s easy to blame the objects of desire. “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” replied Adam to God’s question of how his eyes were opened. But when we blame the object of desire, aren’t we essentially blaming the God who created the object?  Isn’t that what is most repulsive about Adam’s answer? “(the woman) whom YOU GAVE ME”? When Eve was asked why she ate the fruit, she answered “the serpent deceived me.” Eve told the truth. She was deceived. but it was Adam who actually blames God for his disobedience! Adam championed the Serpent’s lie. it’s God’s fault!

Of course, the difference is, we live in an age of enticement. Our cultural environment is sexually charged, and technology driven. Instead of a single forbidden fruit in the midst of a holy garden, we lustfully pilfer through a forest of diseased trees, and we are equally infected.

As Chandler always says, the objects of desire were never meant to “terminate upon themselves”. Rather, these objects, these desires, were created for our joy in glorifying God.  Until we begin to see new things in the light of God’s glory, we will continue to experience short-term highs, forever searching for the next new thing. One day, Christ, seated on His heavenly throne, will “make all things new”. He goes on to say that He will satisfy our thirsts (desires) with the “spring of the water of life without payment.” At that future moment, HE will be THE object of desire, and new things will be forever redeemed.