Two weeks ago on my What I’m Praying series, I shared an update about what The Prayer Room is currently praying as a community. We’re in a spot where we desperately, urgently need God to break in with provision in a couple of different areas. Today, the senior staff of The Prayer Room is out of town on a prayer/work retreat to get a bunch of planning done and also to pray our guts out for God to break in. I invite you to read the “What I’m Praying: Crazy Supernatural Provision for a Dorm and Finances” post and intercede for us! We need it!
In the midst of this, life and emotions go on, and my own heart has been fighting to rest in the truth that Jesus is better. No matter what emotions or desires are swirling within me, no matter what distractions (even good things!) threaten to interrupt my devotion – JESUS IS BETTER.
I’m convinced that this is the foundation of discipleship. Sanctification is futile unless it’s an overflow of encountering the beauty of Jesus.
A couple of years ago, I blogged about an article written by a woman named Rachel who is attracted to other women and came out of the lesbian lifestyle because of a deep conviction that Jesus is better. (Jackie Hill Perry shared a similar testimony in her book Gay Girl, Good God, which I also blogged about.) One quote from Rachel’s article has stuck with me ever since I first read it:
“We can’t say no to something good unless we’re saying yes to something even better.”
(Rachel Gilson, “I Never Became Striaght. Perhaps That Was Never God’s Goal.”)
Whatever the “something good” is, whether it’s something wrong that only looks good, or something neutral or even actually good–JESUS IS BETTER.
This can’t be an abstract theological statement, though. I have to continually remind my heart what about Him is so much better. I have to remember why He is beautiful. I love to sing through chapters like Psalm 23, Psalm 45, Revelation 1, Philippians 2, Colossians 1, anything from Song of Solomon, to remember who He is.
When I see Him clearly, I can say with the Bride in the Song of Solomon:
“For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you.”
(Song of Solomon 1:2-3)
Jesus’ love is better than wine, better than anything I could ever want or have.
When my heart is gripped by longing for relationships, whether the marriage God hasn’t given me yet or the family He called me to move away from–JESUS IS BETTER.
When the seduction of Netflix and endless, mindless scrolling lure me to waste hour after hour–JESUS IS BETTER.
When I’m discipling a young believer who is struggling to walk away from their old life and choose Jesus, this is the core truth they need to believe–JESUS IS BETTER.
Gritting my teeth and trying harder will fail. That will very quickly feel like bondage. Saying yes to something vast, stunning, infinitely more beautiful–this is freedom. This is joy.
We can overcome anything if we are confident that Jesus is better.
- His love is better than wine. (Song 1:2)
- His love is better than life. (Psalm 63:3)
- He is fairer than the sons of man. (Psalm 45:2)
- He is chief among ten thousand. (Song 5:10)
- He is the pearl of great price. (Matthew 13:46)
- He is the only one found worthy. (Revelation 5:3-5)
- One day with Him is better than a thousand days without Him. (Psalm 84:10)
This is my prayer today, and I invite you to pray it for yourself:
Jesus, You are better. You are more beautiful than anything I could ever desire. Anchor my heart in this truth and help me believe it when other desires tug at me. You are better.