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Yo, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really wantSo tell me what you want, what you really, really wantI’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really wantSo tell me what you want, what you really, really want
Some of you will recognise the lyrics and the tune will pope into your head and now you wont be able to stop singing it. It’s the catchy Spice Girls 1996 hit “Wannabe”, and provides a great way to introduce today’s reflection on temptation.
What do I want?
What do I really want, today and in life?
What do I really really want?
Our problem is that we forget that while we spend our lives grasping at power, money, sex, success, drink (the list is endless), none of these things (even in abundance and with endless practice) brings us the quality and depth of happiness we seek.
So none of these things, or even all of them together on a busy day, delivers what we really really want.
Jesus understood this which is why he was able to reject satan’s temptations.
You might find it helpful to read the account in today’s gospel passage at this link.
Jesus knew that he didn’t really want the temporary satisfactions and glamour offered by satan because he was loved by his Father and he knew that this love, received and savoured in every moment, was enough for him.
And such love is enough for us. This is all we really really want and we have it already.
This doesn’t mean that we live without money (bread), power and security which Jesus was tempted with.
The invitation is to understand that temptation is never to what we really really need. Sometimes we really really need more food for our families and security in our relationships and in our work. No problem here.
Instead temptation is a seeking after, grasping at and longing for more than we need. Temptation is a flaw in our logic causing us to think that we need more than we really need with the false expectation that more and more will bring us the happiness we seek.
Is it helpful to ponder this: If I am tempted to something, then I don’t need it. However if I am attracted to something then that’s a different story.
And I’ll leave you with that today – the difference between temptation and attraction…
Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
(Note: Apologies to some who made comments in recent days which didn’t appear. The hiccup is sorted now and your comments are eagerly anticipated. Gratefully. John)
CAFE GATHERINGS
Send your date and time to add to the list, and just turn up at at one of the advertised gatherings, just one hour, focussing on where we are encountering Christ.
NEW PLYMOUTH
Wednesday 12 March 10.00am
Invitation from Joan
Stumble Inn
200 Mangorei Road New Plymouth
WHANGANUI
Thursday 13 March 7.00pm
Invitation from Kate
St Mary’s Church, Whanganui.
TRENTHAM
Tuesday 18th March 1pm
Invitation from Kat
Cafe Equinox
458 Fergusson Drive, Trentham,
Thanks for this reflections. The words goes a long way in understanding what to l really really want
God bless you
Margaret
Thanks John. Are they different or simply points on a continuum of how we manage human wants. I like, want and am attracted to many things but temptation seems to be point at which all those honest emotions become potentially unbalanced . The feeling of being tempted may the alarm bell that our attraction to something is becoming harmful to us and a signal that our subconscious is telling us that
Thanks John
I think you put your finger on it saying ‘Jesus could handle temptation because he knew God’s love of him’
May I /we be more ‘attracted’ to / by God’s Love..
This reflection reminds me of a superficial way that’s easy to slip into – I get bored or lonely or playing greedy and want this or that. We live in a culture surrounded by a surplus of goods ( whether we can afford them or not – behold! The credit card or time payment) and advertising pushing us to consume. It’s the easy way out; I have to choose what adds to my relationships, discipline the ‘wining dog’ keeping myself ‘on a short lead’ as I call it! I think regular practice of prayer and scripture should become my ‘script’ for each day. Well, Lent is an opportunity to firm up the habit!! Thanks John.
That should have been ‘ plain greedy’ (although the typo error kind of fits?!)
Doesn’t the society we live in tell us to keep wanting more or to have more than the other. If only we could all want to be happy and want everyone around us to be happy, too.
Is Temptation the pull toward choices that lead us away from Jesus, while Attraction draws us toward decisions that align with God’s will, ways, and His calling for us.
Lord, grant me discernment, wisdom, obedience, and grace to recognise and choose what is right. Thank You, Abba Father, for always hearing our prayers in Jesus’ name, and answering those that align with Your perfect will—which is love and mercy itself.
Jesus, I trust in You! Amen, hallelujah!
If only more people could reflect on this. We live in a time when extreme commercialism and a ‘self-first’ mantra is endemic throughout Western society, directly threatening the foundation of family life. The increasing divorce rate is evidence of this. Is it a flaw of being human to continually want more, while not really knowing what is enough to satisfy us? Love, in its many forms, is the most basic need for the soul, and without it life is meaningless. Jesus leads us to the path of true happiness, but many choose to ignore this and continue to remain unfulfilled. Perhaps we need to focus more on gratitude for what we already have in life; the people who we love and those who love us unconditionally. For love is the only thing we can take with us, and remains, when our mortal life is at an end.
the difference between temptation and attraction…
When I am tempted, it’s my conscience that changes whatever it is into a ‘temptation’. Something I don’t need; that the inner me knows is greedy, unjust or just wrong.
Attraction, on the other hand is glorying in a creation. I don’t want to own it, I just want to admire it. So I do.