Making mud pies in a slum

Thanks to a John Piper message I was recently reminded of a popular quote by C.S. Lewis concerning our unceasing obsession with those things that never fully satisfy.
"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

I have grown increasingly aware of the fact that like so many others I fall into this trap on a daily basis. Just the other night at our house with friends I asked of them, and myself, if I can truly say that I find complete satisfaction and contentment in knowing God. Is the fact that our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ has given himself for me - TO me - enough? Is the joy of my salvation and the greatness of the transcendant God being right here close and accessable to me significant enough to me to overshadow my every desire? I posed the question to the group like this, "if that thing (whatever it is) that I treasure so much in my life were taken away, would I still be okay? Would I still believe I have all I truly need in Jesus, or would I lose it and question God and his goodness to me?" It seems I can't answer the question, as much as I wish I could, in the affirmative. I really don't know that being left with no posessions, no house, no vehicle, no wife, no family, no job, no "purpose," no friends, no influence, no recognition yet WITH GOD would leave me fully satisfied, content and joyful.

May it be that we can move toward having the desire of David when he said to God:

Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me. (ps 68:3-8)

The C.S. Lewis quote is from The Weight of Glory, which is available several places as a transcribed sermon. One of those places is here: www.doxaweb.com