A Greater Focus on Jesus Christ

It was one of those nights when I was having trouble sleeping, so I went to the living room and grabbed a book to read (you know? One of those books that you've had for so long that you can't remember how long you've had and just have never taken the time to read it?). The name of the book is "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper. After just a few pages I found myself really getting into the book. Listen to this quote from page 15.

"We are all starved for the glory of God, not self. No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem. Why do we go? Because there is greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self. Indeed, what could be more ludicrous in a vast and glorious universe like this human being, on the speck called earth, standing in front of a mirror trying to find significance in his own self-image? It is a great sadness that this is the gospel of the modern world."

At the end of this first chapter, John Piper included a prayer that I want to make my own.

"Father of glory, this is the cry of my heart - to be changed from one degree of glory to another, until, in the resurrection, at the last trumpet, I am completely conformed to the image of your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. Until then, I long to grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord, especially the knowledge of His glory. I want to see it as clearly as I see the sun, and savor it as deeply as my most desired pleasure. O merciful God, incline my heart to Your Word and the wonders of Your glory. Wean me from my obsession with trivial things. Open the eyes of my heart to see each day what the created universe is telling about Your glory. Enlighten my mind to see the glory of Your Son in the Gospel. I believe that You are the All-glorious One, and that there is none like You. Help my unbelief. Forgive the wandering of my affections and the undue attention I give to lesser things. Have mercy on me for Christ's sake, and fulfill in me Your great design to display the glory of Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."