Enamored

By: Greg Aitkens

Matthew 6: 19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Recently I’ve been thinking about this word “enamored”. The dictionary definition is “to cause to feel a strong or excessive interest or fascination”. I’d like to describe some ways in which I have been enamored in my life through a person, a place, and a thing.

Many years ago I heard a fellow speak. He was a gifted speaker and I decided I wanted him to become my business mentor. I was enamored with his apparent success and believed that if I was around him a lot, his success would rub off on me. I did eventually join his company, only to find that he was far different than he appeared. He and his partner cheated me out of money. How quickly my fascination turned to disappointment! I wasn’t so enamored anymore when I saw the real person. Through this I learned what not to do, who not to become, and to trust only in Jesus.

I continue to be enamored by a place on the California coast where my wife Ginny’s relatives live. It’s about 300 miles from where we live now. Over the years I’ve grown to love its beauty, quietness, and remoteness. Sometimes I could see us living there. While visiting recently, I felt the Lord saying to me that it wasn’t the right time for us to consider a move. He had other plans for us. So for now, we’ll continue to visit when we can and continue to discern what God wants. But there are lots of days where I’m saying, “Let’s go!” I’m still a bit enamored, but the objective reality of being there just does not make sense.    

We can also have things, such as interests or activities, of which we are enamored. For example, I really like golf; so much so, that I can “go over the top” and play too much. Because of my interest, I’ve often thought my wife and I ought to become members of a private golf club. Private clubs have many advantages over public courses, but are very expensive. In addition, members only play one course continually, but I know that I like to play a variety of courses. Being enamored could have quickly led me to ask, “Why did I join this club?” More importantly, I felt it did not align with what God wanted.

I believe we need to be very careful about the people, places and things in our lives with which we become enamored. I think we need to continually be asking our Lord whether or not we are aligned with his purposes before we make decisions affecting our lives and families. Fortunately, I’m surrounded by very bright Christians (most especially my wife Ginny) who can get me back on track if I veer from God’s path by being too enamored with the people, places, or things in my life.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Are you too “enamored” by anything in your life? Are your interests aligned with what God wants?