The Weight of Glory: Discovering True Joy in God's Presence

As a freshman in college, I had never been much of a reader. I preferred to rely on Cliff's Notes to get through my assignments. But one semester, an older student leading a Bible study on my hall introduced us to John Piper's book, "Desiring God." Little did I know that within its pages, a single sentence would transform my understanding of the Christian faith. That sentence came from C.S. Lewis: "We are far too easily pleased."

These six words struck a chord within me. They challenged my preconceived notions about God and the Christian life. I had always thought that Christianity was about duty and sacrifice, but Lewis's words opened my eyes to the possibility that it could be about joy and delight instead. Could it be that God desires us to pursue our deepest desires and find infinite joy in Him?

To put this theory to the test, I turned to the Bible. I had been raised to believe that the Scriptures were trustworthy and the final authority on all matters of faith. Armed with this new perspective of joy, I began to see the language of hedonism throughout the Bible.

In Psalm 16:11, the psalmist declares, "In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." This verse spoke to my soul in a way I had never experienced before. It revealed to me that God not only allows us to seek happiness and pleasure, but He offers them to us abundantly.

Other passages confirmed this newfound understanding. Psalm 63:1 expresses a deep longing for God: "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." This language of thirst and longing resonated with me. It showed me that our desires for God should be intense and all-consuming.

Psalm 42:1-2 compares the soul's longing for God to a deer panting for water: "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." This imagery painted a vivid picture of our desperate need for God's presence and the satisfaction that comes from being in communion with Him.

The apostle Paul also emphasized the importance of joy in the Christian life. In Philippians 3:1, he writes, "Rejoice in the Lord." And in Philippians 4:4, he reiterates this command: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." Paul understood that true joy is found in our relationship with God and that it should be a constant state of being for believers.

Jesus himself spoke of the joy that comes from knowing God. In Matthew 13:44, he compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." This parable illustrates the joy and satisfaction that comes from fully surrendering to God and experiencing the richness of His kingdom.

Perhaps the most profound example of joy in the Bible is found in Hebrews 12:2. It describes Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before Him: "For the joy that was set before him endured the cross." This verse reveals the depth of Jesus' love for us and the joy that awaited Him on the other side of the cross. It shows that even in the midst of suffering, joy can be found when our focus is on God.

As I delved deeper into the Scriptures, I realized that the concept of joy and delight was not a new invention but a central theme throughout the Bible. God desires us to find our ultimate satisfaction in Him and to experience the fullness of joy that comes from being in His presence. He wants us to be captivated by His glory and to delight in Him as an artist delights in his work or a father in his child.

C.S. Lewis referred to this as the weight of glory. It is the promise that through Christ's work, we can be accepted, welcomed, and embraced by God. It is the assurance that we can be loved by God, not just pitied, but delighted in. The weight of glory is the recognition that we are not mere spectators in God's kingdom, but active participants, fully united with Him through Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, the six-word sentence, "We are far too easily pleased," from C.S. Lewis's sermon "The Weight of Glory," has had a profound impact on my understanding of the Christian faith. It has challenged me to reevaluate my desires and seek true joy and satisfaction in God. The Bible confirms this perspective, revealing that God calls us to delight in Him and find our ultimate joy in His presence. May we never settle for anything less than the weight of glory that awaits us in Him.