Wholeness is a topic of discussion that likely arises in many gospel-centered conversations and indeed one with which believers should toil. Thoughts on how one achieves wholeness are disparate, many, and manifold. A commonality in such thoughts, however, is the necessity in determining challenges to overcome in order to achieve wholeness. For the following, I will suggest and dissect two primary challenges to wholeness: 1) the challenge of satisfaction and 2) the challenge of letting go. Both challenges offer unique thoughts and ideas and bring with them diverse opinions on how to correct them. While my suggestions here are anecdotal, I believe that my experiences are not unique but common not only to those around me but humanity in general. These challenges to wholeness could certainly be key components to Christian contentment and service to God.
The Challenge of Satisfaction
Genuine wholeness (I believe) is a
derivative of satisfaction in Christ alone. The Apostle Paul claims to have
discovered the secret to being content in every situation, whether in abundance
or need (Phil 4:11-12). He then continues by professing that all things are
possible through Christ (Phil 4:13). Often a passage of egregious
interpretation, Paul reminds his readers that believers possess the capability
to do anything in Christ including starve. Christians should consider the
circumstances of Paul as a model in satisfaction. A man who beaten, whipped,
stoned, bitten by snakes, shipwrecked, imprisoned, robbed, and adrift a sea (2
Cor 11), among other difficulties, expresses certain joy in Christ on multiple
occasions, despite his earthly difficulties. Perhaps, Paul discovered the
secret to wholeness in his own satisfaction in Christ.
John Piper contends that God is most glorified in his people when his people are most satisfied in him (Piper, 2003, p. 10), i.e. the work Christians do for Christ is not the primary issue but the foundational reason supporting such work. Human nature involves naturally glorifying that in what one is satisfied. One who loves sports does not have to work to broadcast the glory of sports in the same manner that one who loves God does not have to work at broadcasting the glory of God. When someone is satisfied in Christ, the natural effect is to glorify him. In this sense, Paul finds little trouble in glorifying Christ. Such a complete satisfaction in Christ is necessary for wholeness. Without satisfaction in Christ, people pursue other people or items that will never satisfy and were never intended to do so. What Christians seek then directly impacts wholeness. From this truth, therefore, two imperatives operate in collaboration with one another: 1) the reality of what happens with people seek contentment in anything but Christ and 2) the reality of what happens when believers pursue personal goals without Christ.
Seeking Contentment in Anything else but Christ
When God’s people seek contentment
in anything but Christ, at least anecdotally, the pursuit proves futile. A
vivid reminder of this truth is Solomon’s account presented in Ecclesiastes. A
man who gained all the world could offer inevitably confessed that all pursuits
but God himself are worthless endeavors; to fear God and keep his commandments
is the entire duty of humankind (Eccl 12:13). A common challenge to wholeness,
therefore, is the charm of all that tempts besides Christ. Since God is
eternal, his satisfaction is also eternal; yet, that which he has created,
namely everything, is temporary and satisfaction in such created entities
should be considered as such. When Christians seek satisfaction in anything
worldly, although they may certainly gain those elemental realities, they are
left wanting more. To seek contentment in anything else but Christ is to reveal
a heart which does not honor God as the only one worthy of everything.
When Christians seek contentment in anything but Christ, the reality of the inability to satisfy by anything but Jesus is realized. One who seeks contentment in anything but Christ then is disappointed and left in a continuous state of incompleteness. Thus, to overcome the challenge of wholeness, believers should find their contentment in Christ alone, for Jesus in addition to anything else will leave one wanting, while Jesus in addition to nothing else will completely satisfy.
The Pursuit of Goals without Christ
As Solomon pursued goals without God
and eventually understood the futility in doing so, Christians should strive
not to pursue goals without Christ. Unless Christ is present, central, and
offers his peace in pursuing goals, Christians will ultimately fail at
wholeness. Goals are excellent for believers; yet, when Christ does not dictate
goals, they will not be enough even when they are reached. When a goal is
achieved, one who pursues without Christ will be left wanting more.
A common thought, among people, is
that which believes reaching a significant goal will bring some level of
contentment. Anecdotally, I believe this to be false. A challenge to wholeness
then is overcoming such a false belief. Believers should seek Christ and his
kingdom first; then will the satisfaction of other things be added (Matt 6:33).
Nonetheless, when goals are pursued without Christ, the most important part of
the equation is missing; therefore, achieving such goals will fail in
contentment.
One who is whole is one who has discovered that Christ alone matters eternally. All other endeavors will not result in wholeness but rather emptiness. It is surely challenging to turn from the pursuit of goals without Christ, for even earthly goals seem to offer humankind ultimate satisfaction. Many believe that proper education will satisfy; many believe that money will satisfy; furthermore, many believe that power and prestige satisfy. Nonetheless, nothing but Christ satisfies. Thus, to reach wholeness and the realization of such, Christians should understand both the challenge and the necessity of turning from the allure of anything which is not eternal, i.e. everything but Christ, and turning to Jesus for eternal wholeness. Satisfaction is key to wholeness. All goals, pursuits, and daily rhythms of life should center around the one who offers living water which will never run dry (John 4:13-14), for any endeavor which seeks wholeness through anything else is futile and wasted. Only Christ satisfies; only Christ makes his people whole.
The Challenge of
Letting Go
Human nature seems to demand a sense of personal control, i.e. people desire the perception that they can change and manipulate situations to suit their wants and needs. When that sense is violated, the response seems often to be one of anger and resentment. The reality of wholeness, nevertheless, requires letting go of one’s past, present, and future and accepting the fact that only God is in control. To let go is to realize that no one is ever in control at any given moment, although it certainly may seem so at times. God’s sovereignty should cause Christians to live in peace, for he alone controls the past, present, and future.
Past
One’s past often impacts their present and
future. Paul contends that he forgets what is past and presses on to what lies
ahead (Phil 3:13). Believers should adopt this attitude, for one may not live
in the fulfillment of God’s present and future joy while simultaneously
clinging to the past. Whether good or bad, one’s past must be separated (not
neglected). Christians should surely rejoice in what God has done in the past;
yet, the past should not control the decisions of the present and future.
A common action taken by local churches is to dwell on the good times of the past. While it is good and right to acknowledge God’s work in the past, there is a future God desires for his people as well. To cling tightly to the past is to disregard what God has for his people in the future. Moreover, Christians often cling to the negative parts of the past by neglecting to realize God’s forgiveness and newness. One who is redeemed in Christ no longer holds to the sin of the past. What he or she has done in the way of sin then is irrelevant to what God does in their life now. To experience complete wholeness in Christ, therefore, Christians should let go of the past. Remember it certainly; yet, remembrance does not demand clinging to what has been. Hold loosely to the past while concurrently using it to inform God’s future work of grace.
Present
Believers should also let go of the present by trusting God for his timely provision. Worry typically happens because of the present rather than the past or future. Whether one worries about finances, job security, family problems, or anything else, God stalwartly controls the present. When God’s people let go of the present and acknowledge that Christ alone is supreme, cares for his people, and provides for them, wholeness is experienced. Letting go of present struggles is challenging because of the innate human desire for control. In pursuing wholeness, God’s people, for centuries, have discovered that he alone is sovereign. Often, such a discovery comes at a great cost where people make feeble attempts to control their own lives and destinies themselves. A tremendous example lies in the story of Jonah. One who was called to Nineveh and made an attempt to obey his own fleshly desires was ultimately disciplined and clearly led by God to the place he tried to avoid. As challenging as it may be, no matter how uncomfortable situations may be and no matter how dire they may seem, if God’s people would simply let go of present situations and trust God for his guidance and provision, the result would be wholeness.
Future
Finally, letting go of the future is yet another challenge to wholeness. Jesus instructs his people not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matt 6:34), i.e. today has enough problems; additionally, God controls all circumstances so his people have no need to worry. Letting go of the future is a personal challenge, as I am one who desires to plan abundantly so that circumstances will seemingly carry out in the way I desire.[1] It seems likely that most believers understand or at least acknowledge that God controls the future; yet, many of God’s people continue to live as if they control the future themselves. A key component to letting go of the future is understanding its foundation of both the past and the present: they three build on each other. The present is informed by the past; the future is informed by the present. For one to let go of the future then, he or she must understand that what has already occurred cannot be changed or controlled; the future, therefore, is most obviously given to God for control. I dare argue, however, that the future is the most difficult of which to let go. People seem to make feeble attempts to correct past mistakes in the future. When people live their lives in debt to the past, however, wholeness may never be achieved, for nothing can correct the mistakes of the past except the righteous grace of Jesus Christ. Thus, to achieve wholeness is to let go of the past, present, and future with the realization that God controls and guides his people in all three.
The Glory of God
Is Always the Issue
Wholeness is met when Christians realize that God alone is sovereign and that humanity has no ability to supersede his control. Realizing such a fact, however, includes more than simply understanding it, for even Satan himself understands this truth. Realizing God’s control equates to not only acknowledging it but also finding joy in it. When one seeks pleasure in God’s pleasure, he or she finds satisfaction so that serving God is not the issue, i.e. people naturally serve that in what or whom they are satisfied. When one’s joy is found in Christ, he or she serves Jesus out of an abundance of satisfaction in him. Exaltation is the result of exultation; theology is the result of doxology. The Reformers often used the adage, lex orando lex credenda, which loosely translates, “How we worship is how we become.” Often, it seems that Christians hold to the idea that serving God makes them more satisfied in him when the reverse is true: the more satisfied people are in God, the more they serve him. To find satisfaction in God then is to abandon all charms the world offers and let go of the past, present, and future by trusting God and seeking him alone. Then will God’s people reach a point of wholeness.
References
Piper,
John. Desiring God: Meditations of a
Christian Hedonist. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers.
[1]
Many of the challenges mentioned in this paper directly correspond to those who
possess a naturally controlling personality, i.e. one who desires a sense of
control in their life will likely struggle with these challenges more than one who
does not.
