Fighting for Our Heart's Desire

     It could be the six inches of snow on the ground and four days with ice-covered roads, but today as I read Psalm 37:3-4, I find myself reminiscing about a college spring break trip to Florida, WAY back in the 1990s.
     Some friends and I were putting through an upscale marina in Miami in a flat-bottomed aluminum boat, on our way to a snorkeling adventure that never really panned out. While trolling through the marina, I remember dropping my jaw in disbelief at the sight of these mammoth yachts, each with fun, personalized names painted on the back.
     One of these yachts, named "Heart's Desire," sticks in my memory.
     The yacht was owned, I later learned, by a wealthy Christian family in Miami known by one of my friends. The name they chose for their yacht (and the message that it sent to a baby Christian like myself) made a lasting impression. It was something like, "Faithful Christian discipleship equals yacht," or maybe, "Honor Jesus and He will give you cool stuff."
     Today I know this message to be the false message of the Prosperity Gospel. The Prosperity Gospel mistakingly assures us that if we believe and follow Jesus, God will give us our "heart's desire" (insert yacht, fishing boat, big house, nice car, better golf clubs, or whatever material thing your heart desires).
    We know not to store up for ourselves "treasures on earth ... but treasures in heaven." (Mt. 6:19)
    We know not to worry about what we eat, or what we wear, or what we drive, or where we live, or what toys we play with, but to trust in God's provision of the things we need." (Mt. 6:25)
    We know not to seek after the "things that will be added to us," but to "seek first the kingdom of God." (Mt. 6.33)
     But man, it ain't easy!
     I confess that I struggle to keep these Scripture passages in the right order.
     The point of "Seek first the kingdom" is really about the Kingdom, and not about the material stuff tacked on to me as a result of my belief.
     The point of Psalm 37:3-4 ("Take delight in the Lord, and he will give to you the desires of your heart") is about taking delight in the Lord, and not taking delight in the stuff we want or think we need.
     To use theological terms, Jesus and the Kingdom of God that he announces is the substance of these passages; the "stuff" that we get is the accident.
     Sounds good.
     So what do I do about that house my wife and I are eying up in our hearts and minds? How do I keep from taking more delight in my iPhone and my new "Daily Devotional" app, rather than the quiet moments I spend in prayer in the presence of God.
     It ain't easy.
     When it comes down to it, I am no better than the dude with the fancy yacht. He is just more honest than me.
     It takes work, daily walking, to keep the kingdom first and the other stuff in second place.
     It takes diligence and constant reminders to keep God as our true delight and heart's desire.